Fungal target genes and methods to identify those genes

ABSTRACT

A method for gene identification using genome-wide deletion of genes is provided. The method may be used with any organism capable of homologous recombination, including plants, plant pathogens, microorganisms, and vertebrates. Also provided are genes isolated from Cochliobolus that code for polypeptides essential for normal fungal growth and development and/or for pathogenicity, and methods to identify polypeptides essential to the viability of an organism and/or those associated with pathogenicity. The invention also includes methods of using these polypeptides to identify fungicides. The invention can further be used in a screening assay to identify inhibitors that are potential fungicides.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/234,673 filed Sept. 22, 2000, now abandoned, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/234,650 filed Sept. 22, 2000, now abandoned, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The disciplines traditionally used to investigate the mode of action of fungicides have been biochemistry and physiology. Over the past decade, classical and molecular genetics have been brought to bear on this problem with increasing success. Recently, genetic studies of fungicide resistance have led to advances in the understanding of the site of action of agents active against plant pathogens and, in some cases, to an appreciation of additional mechanisms of resistance to fungicide action.

[0003] A number of methods have been developed for the purpose of isolating and disrupting or replacing genes within higher and lower organisms. These methods have proven invaluable for providing information concerning the function of many genes. Once a gene has been isolated and the sequence determined, a transgenic cell or organism can be prepared that expresses or alternatively lacks expression (e.g., a “knockout”) of a particular gene. In order to create such a mutant, a vector is prepared that has sequences having homology to the desired point of insertion in the chromosome of the cell which is generally interrupted by an unrelated sequence, e.g., a marker gene (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,464,764 and 6,100,445). A cell is transformed with the vector and the homologous sequences and the linked unrelated sequences are introduced into the chromosomal DNA through the mechanism of homologous recombination. In lower organisms, such as yeast, Candida albicans genes have been disrupted with PCR products that have 50 to 60 bp of homology to a genomic sequence on each end of a selectable marker (Wilson et al., J. Bacteriol. 181:186801874, 1999). The products were used to disrupt two known genes, ARG5 and ADE2, and two sequences newly identified through the Candida genome project, HRM101 and ENX3. In Dictyostelium discoideum, a mutagenesis technique that used antisense cDNA was employed to identify genes required for development (Spann et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA, 93:5003-5007, 1996). Dictyostelium cells were transformed with a cDNA library made from mRNA of vegetative and developing cells. The cDNA was cloned in an antisense orientation immediately downstream of a vegetative promoter, so that the promoter would drive the synthesis of an antisense RNA transcript. Using this mutagenesis technique, mutants were generated that displayed an identifiable phenotype. The individual cDNA molecules from the mutants were identified and cloned using PCR. When PCR-isolated antisense cDNAs were ligated into an antisense vector and transformed into cells, the phenotypes of the transformed cells matched those of the original mutants from which each cDNA was obtained. Gene disruption transformants were made for three of the novel genes using homologous recombination, in each case generating mutants with phenotypes indistinguishable from those of the original antisense transformants. One disadvantage of such a system is the reliance on the production of an antisense transcript and the requirement that the transcript will inactivate a gene over time.

[0004] For higher eukaryotes, a variety of transgenic mammals have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,866 describes a mouse containing a transgene encoding an oncogene. U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,384 describes a transgenic mouse deficient in mature T cells. U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,383 describes a mouse with a transgene encoding a gene in the int-2/FGF family. This gene promotes benign prostatic hyperplasia. U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,385 describes a transgenic mouse with enhanced resistance to certain viruses, and WO 92/22645 describes a transgenic mouse deficient in certain lymphoid cell types. Preparation of a knockout mammal requires first introducing a nucleic acid construct that will be used to suppress expression of a particular gene into an undifferentiated cell type termed an embryonic stem (ES) cell. This cell is then injected into a mammalian embryo, where it is integrated into the developing embryo. The embryo is then implanted into a foster mother for the duration of gestation.

[0005] Despite the successes which have been achieved using various techniques to alter, e.g., knockout or knockdown, gene function, many of the techniques require that the genes be cloned and that the function of the encoded product is known.

[0006] It is generally assumed that most fungicides exert their effect by interacting with a specific protein target molecule. In the past, identification of this target has depended on biochemical and physiological evidence. Because fungicides can often produce effects that are only indirectly linked to the immediate site of action, the determination of direct cause-and-effect relationships can prove very difficult.

[0007] Increasingly, researchers are turning to the genetics of fungicide resistance to understand the mechanism of action of a particular chemical or of a class of fungicidal chemicals. Because alterations in resistance most likely at the site of fungicide action, rather than changes in uptake, efflux, or metabolism of the fungicide, it is first necessary to identify a resistant mutant, in which the resistance is due to mutation in a single gene. A gene that confers resistance upon a wild type strain can then, in principle, be isolated using the techniques of fungal DNA transformation. High-efficiency transformation protocols are available in a number of fungi, including several agronomically important plant pathogens (e.g., Alternaria, Cercospora, Cladosporium, Cochliobolus, Colletotrichum, Gaeumannomyces, Magnaporthe, and Ustilago). The availability of DNA sequence databases and the capability to search them rapidly make gene identification increasingly straightforward, at least to the level of protein family by means of motif homology. The final step in identification is to demonstrate that transformation of a wild type strain with a single mutant gene is sufficient to confer resistance.

[0008] Studies to elucidate the mode of action of the benzimidazole class of fungicides were the first to utilize classical genetics and later the methods of molecular genetics, using benzimidazole-resistant mutants. At the outset, there was considerable evidence that benzimidazoles, such as benomyl, interfere with fungal cell division and bind to proteins with molecular weights similar to that of tubulin (Davidse et al., in Modem Selective Fungicides, 2^(nd) ed., Jena, New York 1995, p. 305). The analysis of benzimidazole-resistant mutants of Aspergillus demonstrated that resistance could be correlated with changes in benzimidazole binding to tubulin. Gene isolation and sequence analysis then established that resistance to benzimidazoles is due to specific mutations in the gene coding for β-tubulin. The understanding that has emerged from these and subsequent studies is that fungicidal benzimidazoles bind specifically to β-tubulin and inhibit the non-covalent polymerization of α,β-tubulin dimers into stable microtubules (Davidse et at., 1995).

[0009] Carboxin is another comparatively old fungicide, with commercial levels of activity, particularly against basidiomycete pathogens. A gene from a carboxin-resistant strain of U. maydis has been cloned, sequenced, and shown to be homologous to known genes encoding the iron-sulfur subunit of succinate dehydrogenase (Keon et al., Curr. Genet., 19:475, 1991). Transformation of wild type strains with this gene was sufficient to confer carboxin resistance. Subsequent comparison of sequences from wild type and resistant strains demonstrated that mutation of two contiguous base pairs, within the codon for a single amino acid of a highly conserved region, was responsible for the resistant phenotype (Broomfield et al., Curr. Genet., 22:117 1992; Keon et al., Biochem. Soc. Trans., 22:234, 1994).

[0010] The dicarboximide fungicides are a class with several commercially successful examples that are active against Botrytis cinerea and numerous pathogens affecting vegetable crops. Vinclozolin is one such dicarboximide. To elucidate the mode of action of the dicarboximides in U. maydis, the mechanism of resistance to vinclozolin has been investigated (Orth et al., Phytopathology, 84:1210, 1994). A large number of resistant mutants were isolated, which could be grouped into three complementation groups by subsequent genetic analysis. One of the mutants, U. maydis VR43, carrying resistance gene adr-1, was further characterized (Orth et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 61:2341, 1995). A cosmid DNA library was constructed from this mutant in an autonomously replicating vector and pooled DNA was used for transformation of wild type U. maydis. A 32 kb cosmid conferring resistance to vinclozolin was isolated after four rounds of sib selection. Restriction analysis of the cosmid led to isolation of an 8.7 kb fragment. Sequence analysis of this fragment revealed a 1218 bp open reading frame coding for a serine/threonine protein kinase. Residues essential for kinase catalytic function are conserved within this gene. The role of the protein kinase gene adr-I in conferring resistance was further demonstrated by deleting a 384 bp Narl fragment from the coding region. Transformation of wild type U. maydis with this modified construct did not result in fungicide resistance, confirming the role of the protein kinase gene.

[0011] The strobilurin analogs represent the first broad-spectrum class of fungicides since the development of the demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides. Their structure is derived from a series of natural products, particularly strobilurin, oudemansin and myxothiazole, found in certain basidiomycetes and myxobacteria. Aside from somewhat lower activity against the eukaryotic organisms from which some of these natural products are isolated, the strobilurin analogs have remarkable efficacy against a broad range of ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, and oomycetes.

[0012] It was recognized early in the study of the original natural products, that these compounds owe their fungicidal activity to inhibition of mitochondrial respiration at the level of complex III (Becker et al., FEBS Lett., 132:329, 1981; Brandt et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 173:499, 1988). Subsequently, a series of experiments was carried out involving yeast mutants resistant to the natural products, in which it was demonstrated that resistance is due to mutations in the mitochondrially encoded gene for apocytochrome b (Di Rago et al., J. Biol. Chem., 264:14543, 1989; Geier et al., Biochem. Soc. Trans., 22:203 1994). More recent data have confirmed that synthetic compounds, designed for optimized fungicidal activity, selectivity and stability, also interact specifically with cytochrome b (Mansfield et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1015:109 1990).

[0013] The phenoxyquinolines, such as LY214352, are a group of compounds with appreciable in vitro activity, although whole-plant disease control is best against Botrytis and Venturia. Although, to date, no development candidate has been announced from this class, it is notable because of the early and successful use of classical and molecular genetics to determine the site of action. In these studies, mutants of A. nidulans resistant to LY214352 were developed (Gustafson et al., Curr. Microbiol., 23:39, 1991), and a cosmid library was prepared from one of them (Gustafson, in Antifungal Agents: Discovery and Mode of Action, Dixon et al., eds., Bios Scientific, Oxford, 1995, p. 111; Gustafson et al., Curr. Genet., 30:159, 1996). A cosmid conferring resistance to a wild type strain was found and sub-cloned to yield an open reading frame with homology to prokaryotic dihydro-orotate dehydrogenase (DHO), an enzyme involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. Enzyme assays confirmed that the DHO enzymes from the resistant strains had diminished sensitivity to the inhibitors.

[0014] Acetyl-CoA carboxylase has long been a target for herbicide design. Several chemical classes are active against this target, with high selectivity for the enzyme from gramineous species. Additionally, an antifungal natural product named soraphen A was isolated from a species of myxobacteria (Gerth et al., J. Antibiot, 47:23, 1994). Experiments in yeast have confirmed that mutants resistant to soraphen A are tightly linked to the accl locus, which codes for acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Vahlensieck et al., Curr. Genet., 25:95, 1994). The ACC1 gene from U. maydis has been cloned (Bailey et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 249:191, 1995).

[0015] Blasticidin is a complex natural product, obtained by fermentation, that is used against rice blast disease caused by Magnaporthe grisea. Even so, a gene that encodes an enzyme catalyzing the deamination of blasticidin has been cloned from Aspergillus terreus isolated from rice paddy soil, and this has been used as a selectable marker for transformation of M. grisea and Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Kimura et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 242:121, 1994; Kimura et al., Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 56:1177, 1995).

[0016] Three examples of anilinopyrimidine fungicides, such as pyrimethanil, are now at or nearing commercialization, with activity against cereal diseases as well as Botrytis and Venturia. A series of studies have shown that these compounds have little effect on conidial germination and germ-tube growth; instead, they appear to inhibit the infection process (summarized in Milling et al., Antifungal Agents: Discovery and Mode of Action, Dixon et al., eds, Bios Scientific, Oxford, 1995, p. 201). Subsequent investigations have demonstrated that the secretion of enzymes involved in the infection process, such as polygalacturonase, pectinase, cellulase, and proteinase, is significantly reduced by fungicide treatment and, furthermore, that the intracellular level of enzymes normally secreted dramatically increases (Miura et al., Pestic. Biochem. Physiol., 48:222, 1994; Milling et al., Pestic. Sci., 45:43, 1995).

[0017] The demethylation inhibitor (DMI) group of fungicides comprises a large number of commercially successful compounds, such as triadimenol, which have activity at comparatively low use rates against a wide variety of cereal, vineyard, and orchard pathogens (Kuck et al., Modem Selective Fungicides, 2^(nd) ed., Jena, N.Y., 1995. p. 205). Other analogs are used to treat human and animal mycoses. As a class, these compounds act by inhibiting the cytochrome P450 dependent oxidative demethylation of eburicol in filamentous fungi (or lanosterol in yeasts) in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. The bulk of the evidence in support of this site of action was obtained from investigations of the effects of DMI fungicides on the levels of sterol intermediates isolated from treated fungi, from spectral measurement of fungicide binding to cytochrome P450 at physiologically relevant concentrations (Köller, Target Sites of Fungicide Action, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 1992; Van Den Bossche, in Modem Selective Fungicides 2^(nd) ed., Jena, N.Y., 1995, p. 432), and from studies of the effects of DMI fungicides on ergosterol biosynthesis in cell-free systems (Guan et al., Pest. Biochem. Physiol., 42:262, 1992; Kapteyn, Pestic. Sci., 40:313, 1994).

[0018] Several papers have reported the successful cloning and sequencing of lanosterol 14α-demethylase genes from yeast (Kalb et al., Gene, 45:237, 1986; Kalb et al., DNA, 6:529, 1987; Chen et al., Biochem Biophys. Res. Comm. 146:1311, 1987; Chen et al., DNA, 9:617, 1988; Kirsch et al., Gene, 68:229, 1988). The corresponding eburicol 14α-demethylase has been characterized from a filamentous fungus only recently, however (Van Nistelrooy et al., Molec. Gen. Genet., 10:250, 1996). In this work, multiple copies of the gene, isolated from Penicilium italicum, were introduced by transformation into Aspergillus niger. The resulting transformants showed reduced sensitivity to DMI fungicides, indicating that over-expression of the demethylase gene is at least a potential mechanism of resistance. Subsequent analysis of one DMI-resistant laboratory mutant of P. italicum has shown that a point mutation in the demethylase gene is responsible for the resistance phenotype (DeWaard, in Molecular Genetics and Ecology of Pesticide Resistance, American Chemical Society, 1996).

[0019] Resistance to DMI fungicides has been documented in a variety of plant-pathogenic fungi (Hollomon, Biochem. Soc. Trans., 21:1047 1993), and cases of a monogenic (Peever et al., Phytopathology, 82:821, 1992) and polygenic (Hollomon, Biochem. Soc. Trans., 21:1047, 1993; Buchenauer in Modem Selective Fungicides: Properties, Applications, Mechanisms of Action, 2^(nd) ed., Jena, N.Y. 1995, p. 259) resistance are known. No examples of target site based resistance have been conclusively proven in strains isolated from the field. Among species of yeast pathogenic in immunocompromised patients, cases of resistance due to gene over-expression and target site based resistance have been recorded (Hitchcock, Biochem Soc. Trans., 21:1039, 1993). A variety of mechanisms of resistance have been encountered in laboratory strains selected upon fungicide challenge with or without mutagenesis. In both yeasts (Buchenauer, 1995; Hitchcock, 1993) and U. maydis (Joseph-Home et al., FEBS Lett., 374:174, 1995; Joseph-Home et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett., 127:29, 1995), mutant isolates are obtained in which an alteration in the gene encoding sterol Δ5,6-desaturase must have occurred.

[0020] There is increasing evidence for the involvement of active efflux mechanisms in DMI fungicide resistance. Early results indicated that, in some DMI-resistant laboratory isolates, resistance could be correlated with levels of fungicide accumulation within fungal cells (De Waard, Pestic. Sci., 22:371, 1988). These results have been extended in other fungi, along with the observation that inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration affect the levels of fungicide accumulation in both sensitive and resistant strains (Stehmann, Pestic Sci. 45:311, 1995). This suggests that energy-dependent efflux mechanisms are already operative in sensitive strains, and perhaps enhanced in resistant ones.

[0021] Plasmid membrane proton pumps, often called P-glycoproteins, have been implicated in resistance in human cell lines to a wide variety of anticancer drugs, and increasingly to human antifungals (Hitchcock, Biochem. Soc. Trans. 21:1039, 1993; Monk et al., Crit. Rev. Microbiol., 20:209, 1994). Where this mechanism is operative, pleiotropic resistance to other unrelated inhibitors is often observed. In order to extend the efficacy of traditional chemotherapies, P-glycoproteins are now receiving attention in their own right as targets for inhibition, with the rationale that co-inhibition of the efflux pump may restore or improve the activity of a drug.

[0022] A fungicide strategy based on the inhibition of efflux mechanisms has application to plant disease control as well. If fungicide level is, at least in some instances, affected by efflux mechanisms, even in wild-type strains, then combination treatment with an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein action will increase intracellular concentration of the fungicide. Moreover, efflux mechanisms may naturally play a role in pathogenesis mechanisms, both as a means to reduce the intracellular levels of natural plant defense compounds, and to export fungal pathogenesis factors and toxins. If this is correct, then inhibitors of membrane proton pumps themselves may be fungistatic.

[0023] While the techniques of molecular genetics have significantly accelerated the rate at which sites of fungicide action can be identified, these methods are laborious and often rely on the generation of resistant mutants. Thus, what is needed is a rapid method to identify genes that encode polypeptides associated with growth, development and/or pathogenicity of pathogens, e.g., fungi.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The invention provides a method for the functional analysis of genes, e.g., plant genes or pathogen genes, as such genes of pathogenic fungi. In one embodiment of the invention, a genome-wide deletion strategy is employed, while in another embodiment a genome-wide insertion strategy is employed. For example, a library of genomic DNA or cDNA inserts (DNA fragments) in a vector is contacted with an agent, e.g., an endonuclease such as a restriction enzyme, which causes at least one double strand break in the DNA. The insert size may be relatively small, e.g., at least 100 bp or large, e.g., 50 kb or greater. Preferably, the insert size encompasses at least a portion of the average length of a gene in a particular organism. For example, in Cochliobolus, the average gene is about 1-2 kb in length and is separated from the adjacent gene by about 0.5-1.5. At least one detectable DNA (gene) is introduced into the break site(s) resulting in a library having a detectable DNA which is inserted into a cDNA or genomic DNA fragment, or which replaces a portion of the cDNA or genomic DNA, i.e., the agent causes at least two double strand breaks in the DNA. Any agent causing double strand break(s) may be employed, however, a preferred embodiment of the invention employs a site-specific endonuclease which, for the average size fragment in the library, has at least one recognition site in the fragment for insertion vectors, and, for deletion vectors, at least two recognition sites. The determination of endonuclease recognition site frequency for DNA from any particular organism is within the skill of the art. Thus, for the deletion vectors, the size of the deletion in each unique fragment in the library will vary and be dependent on the agent employed to cause the double strand break. The position of the detectable DNA in the genomic DNA or cDNA insert may be in a coding region or in a non-coding region, e.g., in transcriptional regulatory sequences, centromeres, telomeres and the like, of the DNA fragment. The resulting vectors, preferably containing two regions of homology with genomic DNA in a recipient cell and at least one detectable DNA located between the two regions of homology, are contacted with recipient cells capable of, or which can be induced to undergo, homologous or site-directed recombination. In one embodiment, the homologous sequences and the detectable gene are integrated into the genome by a double crossover event. The resulting gene knockouts or gene insertions can then be screened for a desired phenotype.

[0025] Thus, the invention provides a method to prepare a library of modified DNA fragments. The method comprises contacting a library of DNA fragments in a vector with an agent that causes at least one double strand break in at least one fragment to yield a library of DNA fragments having at least one double strand break. Then a detectable polynucleotide or gene is inserted into the double strand break so as to yield a library of modified DNA fragments. The DNA inserts in the library may be cDNAs or genomic DNA fragments. The source of the DNA fragments may DNA or RNA, i.e., cDNA, from any prokaryotic or eukaryotic organism including, but not limited to, microbes, plants, insects, yeast, fungi, or animals including birds, fish and mammals, for example, murine, bovine, canine, equine, caprine, porcine, feline, rat, sheep, rabbits, swine, hamsters, or primate, including human, DNA. Any detectable DNA can be employed in the method of the invention, including but not limited to selectable or screenable marker genes. Any vector may be employed in the practice of the invention, including but not limited to, plasmid, phage, BAC, YAC or cosmid vectors.

[0026] Also provided is a library prepared by the method and uses of the library, e.g., to identify genes associated with a particular phenotype. Hence, the invention provides a method of using a library of modified DNA fragments to identify the function of a gene which comprises contacting recipient cells with a library of the invention so as to yield a population of cells comprising at least one recombinant cell in which homologous or site-directed recombination has occurred between the genome of the cell and at least one member of the library. Preferably, the recombinant cell has a detectable phenotype which is associated with the disruption of the corresponding sequence in the genomic DNA of the recombinant cell. Then the recombinant cell is identified and optionally isolated. Once isolated, the gene associated with the phenotype is characterized, e.g., by sequencing. In one embodiment, the DNA fragments are contacted with at least one endonuclease, preferably an endonuclease that does not have a recognition site in the vector, but has at least one recognition site in at least one DNA fragment. Preferably, the source of the recipient cells and the source of the DNA in the library is the same, however, the invention includes the use of a library prepared from a source which is heterologous to the recipient cells. In a preferred embodiment, the recipient cells are those which are capable of, or can be induced to undergo, homologous or site-directed recombination, including but not limited to cells such as plant, insect, yeast, fungi, including fungi of agricultural, industrial, or pharmaceutical importance, or animal cells, e.g., from murine, monkey, bovine, canine, equine, caprine, porcine, feline, rat, sheep, rabbits, fish, birds, swine, hamsters or primates, including undifferentiated cells such as animal and human embryonic stem cells, as well as cultured cells from those cellular sources.

[0027] As described herein, saturation mutagenesis of the Cochliobolus heterostrophus genome was accomplished by random deletion of 8-10 kb fragments. For example, a library of 10 kb genomic fragments was constructed and digested with an enzyme having no recognition sites in the vector sequences, allowing most of the fungal insert DNA to be replaced by a selectable drug resistance marker (hygB). Members of the plasmid library were linearized at the vector proximal ends of the fungal sequences, and transformed into a wild type strain of the fungus. Most primary transformants were heterokaryotic and required purification by isolating a single drug resistant conidium. If all conidia are drug sensitive or are shown to carry transforming DNA integrated only at an ectopic position, the mutation may be lethal. All purifiable transformants were then tested for auxotrophy and colony morphology. Prototrophs with normal growth rates were tested for virulence on maize. Mutants with either altered virulence or lethality were noted and the plasmid used for transformation of wild type fungi was sequenced, permitting the deleted DNA to be identified in each case. About 30% of the deletions were lethal, and mutants with altered virulence were found. To more specifically identify the gene(s) responsible for the phenotype of interest, each open reading frame (ORF) affected by the deletion may be targeted individually. The identified genes can be used as potential fungicide targets, or as a means to genetically engineer plants for disease resistance.

[0028] A further aspect provides a method for identifying the function of a gene comprising contacting cells with a library constructed as disclosed herein to yield a population of cells containing at least one recombinant cell in which homologous recombination has occurred between the genome of the cell and the modified DNA of at least one member of the library. The recombinant cell is then identified, preferably on the basis of a change in phenotype and the function of the gene determined using the phenotypic change. The recombinant cell can be of any of the types discussed herein, including, but not limited to plant cells, bacterial cells, fungal cells, avian cells and mammalian cells. Also provided is an organism comprising at least one such recombinant cell.

[0029] One aspect provides an improved method to identify cells that are transformed with a particular modified DNA fragment. For example, for high throughput screening of individual cells, e.g., spores of a fungus, a population of cells is contacted with a modified DNA fragment comprising at least a screenable marker, e.g., a visibly detectable marker such as green fluorescence protein, and optionally a selectable marker which preferably provides a growth advantage to cells expressing that marker. In one embodiment of the invention, sporulation of the transformed population of cells is induced and the spores subjected to cell sorting. Spores which express a green fluorescence protein are selected and sorted into individual wells. In another embodiment, cells from the transformed population of cells are subjected to cell sorting and individual cells which fluoresce selected.

[0030] In one aspect of the invention, genes from fungi, such as Cochliobolus, are identified which are related to pathogenesis. Such genes may be useful to identify novel fungicides. As described hereinbelow, five Cochliobolus genes were identified including a cluster of four closely linked open reading frames, and another from a separate locus. The cluster was associated with virulence and/or pathogenicity, while the separate locus was associated with viability. The first open reading frame in the cluster encoded a polypeptide having structural similarity to a gene encoding versicolorin B synthase, which is involved in biosynthesis of aflatoxin, a potent carcinogen produced by fungal Aspergillis spp (Brown, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 93:1418, 1996). The second open reading frame encoded a polypeptide having structural similarity to cytochrome P450. Interestingly, two cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are required for aflatoxin biosynthesis (Brown et al., 1996; Keller et al., Fungal Genet. Biol., 21:17, 1997). Moreover, all the 25 odd genes for aflatoxin production are clustered in a chromosomal region of 60-70 kb. Thus, the cluster of genes may represent part of a larger gene cluster that controls biosynthesis of a secondary metabolite (small molecule) that is required for or associated with fungal virulence. The gene from the separate locus encodes a polypeptide that is structurally related to the human TRRAP and yeast TRAP-like protein, a protein kinase. Thus, the polypeptide encoded by this locus may be a polypeptide that alters secretion, i.e., the translocation of molecules such as a toxin, alters the activity of other molecules that interact with translocation polypeptides, and/or is associated with polypeptide processing and maturation (see WO 98/50550). Alternatively, or in addition, the polypeptide encoded by this locus may be a transformation/transcription domain-associated protein, and so may be associated with transcription, or in a signaling pathway that is essential for cell function. The gene encoding the fungal TRAP-like polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:6, and the four genes in the cluster encode polypeptides comprising SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 and SEQ ID NO:13, which may be essential for fungal growth and development.

[0031] An advantage of the present invention is that the newly discovered essential genes provide the basis for identifying a novel fungicidal mode of action which enables one skilled in the art to easily and rapidly discover novel inhibitors of gene products that are useful as fungicides. Thus, the invention also provides isolated genes or gene products from fungi for assay development for inhibitory compounds with fungicidal activity, as agents which inhibit the function or reduce the activity of any of these gene products in fungi are likely to have detrimental effects on fungi, and are potentially good fungicide candidates. The present invention therefore provides methods of using an isolated polypeptide encoded by one or more of the genes of the invention to identify inhibitors thereof, which can then be used as fungicides to suppress the growth of pathogenic fungi. Pathogenic fungi are defined as those capable of colonizing a host and causing disease. Examples of pathogens for the agents identified by the methods of the invention encompass fungal pathogens including plant pathogens such as Septoria tritici, Ashbya gossypii, Stagnospora nodorum, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium graminearum, Magnaporthe grisea, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Colletotrichum heterostrophus, Ustilago maydis, Erisyphe graminis, plant pathogenic oomycetes such as Pythium ultimum and Phytophthora infestans, and human pathogens such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, as well as other mycogens.

[0032] Also provided herein are nucleotide sequences derived from Cochliobolus. The nucleotide sequences described herein are set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14 and the complements thereof. The encoded polypeptides are set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, and SEQ ID NO:13 and any polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides. Also included are nucleotide sequences substantially similar to those set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, and the complements thereof. The present invention also encompasses polypeptides whose amino acid sequence are substantially similar to the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 and SEQ ID NO:13, and any polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides.

[0033] Also provided are expression cassettes containing any of the above disclosed polynucleotide sequences as well as recombinant vectors containing such expression cassettes. Further aspects provide recombinant host cells containing such vectors, where the host cells may be bacterial cells, yeast cells, fungal cells, plant cells and animal cells. Organisms, such as plant and animals, containing such host cells are also provided.

[0034] The present invention also includes methods of using these gene products as targets, based on the essentiality of the genes for normal fungal growth and development. Thus one aspect provides a method for identifying an agent or agents have anti-fungal activity comprising contacting a fungus with an agent and determining if the agent binds to at least one of SEQ ID NO.5, SEQ ID NO.7, SEQ ID NO.9 SEQ ID NO.11, SEQ ID NO 13, or polypeptides having sequences substantially similar to any of these sequences. The effect of the binding of the agent on the growth, virulence and/or viability of the fungus is then determined. Also provided are anti-fungal agents identified by the method of the present invention. For example, for genes encoding products that are essential for viability or are associated with virulence, agents that bind to or otherwise alter or modulate the activity of that gene product, preferably inactivate or decrease the activity of the gene product, can be identified. In addition, genes that are associated with pathogenicity (virulence), are particularly useful to genetically engineer plants for disease resistance. This would be done by identifying the chemical structure of the virulence factor itself. For example, a gene encoding a product that alters the activity of the fungal gene product, such as by degrading the fungal gene product may be introduced to the genome of a plant so that the plant would now specifically inactivate the gene product, thus preventing disease.

[0035] One aspect provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a prokaryotic or eukaryotic, e.g., plant or fungal, nucleotide sequence which is substantially similar to a Cochliobolus nucleic acid segment, the expression of which is essential for fungal growth and/or development or is associated with pathogenesis. These sequences can be identified by employing the method described herein or by any other method known to the art, e.g., other gene knockout or insertion methods. Preferably, the nucleotide sequence is DNA from a mammal, fungi or plant, either a dicot or a monocot, which encodes a polypeptide that is identical or substantially similar to a Cochliobolus polypeptide comprising any one of SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 or SEQ ID NO:13, e.g., those encoded by SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, or the complement thereof. The term “substantially similar”, when used herein with respect to a polypeptide means a polypeptide corresponding to a reference polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide has substantially the same structure and function as the reference polypeptide, e.g., where only changes in amino acid sequence are those which do not affect the polypeptide function. When used for a polypeptide or an amino acid sequence, the percentage of identity between the substantially similar and the reference polypeptide or amino acid sequence is at least 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, e.g., 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%,77%,78%,79%,80%,81%,82%,83%,84%,85%,86%,87%,88%,89%, and even 90% or more, e.g., 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, up to at least 99%, wherein the reference polypeptide is a Cochliobolus polypeptide comprising any one of SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 or SEQ ID NO:13, e.g., encoded by SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, or the complement thereof. One indication that two polypeptides are substantially similar to each other is that an agent, e.g., an antibody, which specifically binds to one of the polypeptides, specifically binds to the other.

[0036] In its broadest sense, the term “substantially similar”, when used herein with respect to a nucleotide sequence or nucleic acid segment, means a nucleotide sequence or segment corresponding to a reference nucleotide sequence or segment, wherein the corresponding sequence encodes a polypeptide having substantially the same structure and function as the polypeptide encoded by the reference nucleotide sequence. The term “substantially similar” is specifically intended to include nucleotide sequences wherein the sequence has been modified to optimize expression in particular cells. The percentage of identity between the substantially similar nucleotide sequence and the reference nucleotide sequence is at least 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, e.g., 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 89%, and even 90% or more, e.g., 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, up to at least 99%, wherein the reference sequence is any one of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12 or SEQ ID NO:14, or the complement thereof. Sequence comparisons maybe carried out using a Smith-Waterman sequence alignment algorithm (see e.g. Waterman, Introduction to Computational Biology: Maps, Sequences and Genomes, Chapman & Hall, London, 1995, or http://www bto.usc.edu/software/seqaln/index.html). The localS program, version 1.16, is preferably used with following parameters: match: 1, mismatch penalty: 0.33, open-gap penalty: 2, extended-gap penalty: 2. Further, a nucleotide sequence that is “substantially similar” to a reference nucleotide sequence hybridizes to the reference nucleotide sequence in 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 M NaPO₄, 1 mM EDTA at 50° C. with washing in 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50° C., more desirably in 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 M NaPO₄, 1 mM EDTA at 50° C. with washing in 1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50° C., more desirably still in 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 M NaPO₄, 1 mM EDTA at 50° C. with washing in 0.5×SSC, 0,1% SDS at 50° C., preferably in 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 M NaPO₄, 1 mM EDTA at 50° C. with washing in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50° C., more preferably in 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 M NaPO₄, 1 mM EDTA at 50° C. with washing in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

[0037] Hence, the isolated nucleic acid molecules of the invention also include the orthologs of the Cochliobolus sequences disclosed herein, i.e., the corresponding nucleic acid molecules in organisms other than Cochliobolus, including, but not limited to, fungi other than Cochliobolus, preferably pathogenic fungi. An “ortholog” is a gene from a different species that encodes a product having the same function as the product encoded by a gene from a reference organism. The encoded ortholog products likely have at least 70% sequence identity to each other. Hence, the invention includes an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having at least 70% identity to a polypeptide encoded by one or more of the Cochliobolus sequences. Databases such GenBank may be employed to identify sequences related to the Cochliobolus sequences. Alternatively, recombinant DNA techniques such as hybridization or PCR may be employed to identify sequences related to the Cochliobolus sequences. Fungal orthologs of each of the isolated Cochliobolus genes described herein were identified. For the first open reading frame (ORF) for the gene cluster there was high similarity to sequences in Fusarium graminearum (E value=1e-155), a pathogen of cereals, and Botrytis cinerea (E value=1e-034), a pathogen of many plants, and weak similarity to Ashbya gossypii (E value=1.3), a pathogen of cotton bolls. The Cochliobolus gene in ORF2 of the gene cluster, which likely encodes NTP pyrophosphohydrolase, showed structural similarity to orthologs in Fusarium and Botrytis (the values were: 3e-066 and 3e-079, respectively). ORF3 encoded a Cochliobolus cytochrome P450 that showed similarity to orthologs in Fusarium and Ashbya (the values were 2e-010 and 1e-021 respectively). ORF4 encoded a polypeptide having structural similarity to orthologs in Fusarium (1e-089); Botrytis (1e-104), and Ashbya (4e-079).

[0038] Thus, the invention preferably includes an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide that is substantially similar to an Cochliobolus polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid segment having a sequence comprising any one of SEQ ID NO:1,. SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12 or SEQ ID NO:14. Preferably the polypeptide has substantial identity to the Cochliobolus polypeptide, i.e., the polypeptide has at least 70%, e.g., 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, and even 90% or more, e.g., 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, and at least 99%, amino acid sequence identity to an Cochliobolus polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid segment having a sequence comprising any one of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12 or SEQ ID NO:14. The invention also provides anti-sense nucleic acid molecules corresponding to the sequences described herein. Also provided are expression cassettes, e.g., recombinant vectors, and host cells, comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention in which the nucleotide sequence is in either sense or antisense orientation.

[0039] The nucleic acid molecules of the invention, their encoded polypeptides and compositions thereof, are useful to identify agents that specifically bind to or otherwise alter the activity of the encoded polypeptide. Thus, further aspects include isolated nucleic acid molecules that are essential for the viability of an organism, as well as compositions and methods for identifying inhibitors of those nucleic acid molecules, including inhibitors of the gene product encoded hereby. The compositions include nucleic acid sequences and the amino acid sequences for the polypeptides or partial-length polypeptides encoded thereby which are useful to screen for agents that inhibit those molecules. In another aspect, the isolated nucleic acid molecules are associated with virulence or pathogenicity and so are useful to identify agents that bind to or otherwise alter the activity of the gene product of those nucleic acid molecules. If the agent is one which is encoded by DNA, e.g., a polypeptide, the expression of that DNA in an organism susceptible to the pathogen, e.g., a plant, may provide tolerance or resistance to the organism to the pathogen, preferably by preventing or inhibiting pathogen infection. Methods of the invention involve stably transforming a susceptible organism or cell with one or more of at least a portion of these nucleotide sequences which confer tolerance or resistance operably linked to a promoter capable of driving expression of that nucleotide sequence in the cells of the organism. By “portion” or “fragment”, as it relates to a nucleic acid molecule, sequence or segment of the invention, when it is linked to other sequences for expression, is meant a sequence having at least 80 nucleotides, more preferably at least 150 nucleotides, and still more preferably at least 400 nucleotides. If not employed for expressing, a “portion” or “fragment” means at least 9, preferably 12, more preferably 15, even more preferably at least 20, consecutive nucleotides, e.g., probes and primers (oligonucleotides), corresponding to the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecules of the invention. By “resistant” is meant an organism, e.g., a plant which exhibits substantially no phenotypic changes as a consequence of infection with the pathogen. By “tolerant” is meant an organism, e.g., a plant which, although it may exhibit some phenotypic changes as a consequence of infection, does not have a substantially decreased reproductive capacity or substantially altered metabolism. For example, the pathogen has a decreased ability to infect the plant, or there are fewer lesions or other symptoms post-infection.

[0040] Other uses for the nucleic acid molecules or polypeptides of the invention, include the use of the polypeptide to raise either polyclonal antibodies or monoclonal antibodies, e.g., antibodies which can be employed in diagnostic assays for the presence of the pathogen, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules, e.g., in antisense orientation, or having a deletion in at least a portion of at least one the genes corresponding to the nucleic acid molecules of the invention. Also, given that one of the genes encodes a putative toxin or may be a peptide synthetase (Watanabe, Chem. Biol., 3, 463, 1996) the toxin may be useful in therapy, e.g., as an anti-cancer agent, an antibiotic, or as an immunosuppressant. For the TRAP-like polypeptide, its expression may affect one or more membrane polypeptides, such as those for toxin secretion, e.g., it may translocate one or more members of a class of toxins or molecules that are, at some level, toxic to the host fungal cell. Thus, inhibitors of the TRAP-like polypeptide or its synthesis may specifically inhibit fungal pathogenicity or growth. In addition, this polypeptide or an inhibitor of the activity thereof may be useful as a therapeutic in disorders associated with protein processing and maturation including endocrine, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular disorders; in inflammation; and in cancers, particularly those involving secretory and gastrointestinal tissues.

[0041] The invention also includes recombinant nucleic acid molecules which have been modified so as to comprise codons other than those present in the unmodified sequence. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules of the invention include those in which the modified codons specify amino acids that are the same as those specified by the codons in the unmodified sequence, as well as those that specify different amino acids, i.e., they encode a variant polypeptide having one or more amino acid substitutions relative to the polypeptide encoded by the unmodified sequence.

[0042] The invention further includes a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to one (hereinafter “test” sequence) which hybridizes under stringent conditions with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention as well as RNA which is encoded by the nucleic acid molecule. When the hybridization is performed under stringent conditions, either the test or nucleic acid molecule of invention is preferably supported, e.g., on a membrane or DNA chip. Thus, either a denatured test or nucleic acid molecule of the invention is preferably first bound to a support and hybridization is effected for a specified period of time at a temperature of, e.g., between 55 and 70° C., in double strength citrate buffered saline (SC) containing 0.1% SDS followed by rinsing of the support at the same temperature but with a buffer having a reduced SC concentration. Depending upon the degree of stringency required such reduced concentration buffers are typically single strength SC containing 0.1% SDS, half strength SC containing 0.1% SDS and one-tenth strength SC containing 0.1% SDS.

[0043] As also described herein, the 5′ regulatory regions, including the promoters, for each of the 5 genes was identified (approximately 2 kb upstream of the start codon). These sequences may be employed to screen for transcription factors, and/or alter the regulation of linked sequences, e.g., in the fungal genome. For example, if the promoter was particularly strong, it could be used to overproduce a molecule of pharmaceutical interest. Spore-specific promoters might be used to express genes only in spores, which are the infectious form of the fungus. A promoter from a gene having early expression in response to an elicitor molecule while the spore is invading the plant could be employed with a resistance-conferring gene to induce the plant to mount a defensive response earlier than usual.

[0044] Therefore, also provided is an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that directs transcription, e.g., a promoter, or a linked nucleic acid fragment in a host cell, wherein the nucleotide sequence is identical or substantially similar, i.e., has at least 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, e.g., 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, and even 90% or more, e.g., 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, and 99%, nucleotide sequence identity to a sequence of a promoter from a Cochliobolus gene comprising an open reading frame of any of one of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12 or SEQ ID NO:14, e.g., SEQ ID NOs:15-19. Thus, the invention also includes orthologs of Cochliobolus promoters. The promoter sequence is preferably about 25 to 2000, e.g., 50 to 500 or 100 to 1400, nucleotides in length. Thus, the present invention includes fragments of SEQ ID Nos. 15-19 that comprise a minimal promoter region. In one embodiment of the invention, the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence which is the promoter region for any one of the open reading frames of SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12 or SEQ ID NO:14, or is structurally related to the promoter for SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12 or SEQ ID NO:14, i.e., is an orthologous promoter, and is linked to the open reading frame for a structural gene. Hence, the present invention further provides an expression cassette or a recombinant vector containing the nucleic acid molecule, and the vector may be a plasmid. Such cassettes or vectors, when present in a cell, tissue or organism result in transcription of the linked nucleic acid fragment in the cell, tissue or organism.

[0045] The expression cassettes or vectors of the invention may optionally include other regulatory sequences, e.g., transcription terminator sequences, introns and/or enhancers, and may be contained in a host cell. The expression cassette or vector may augment the genome of a cell or may be maintained extrachromosomally.

[0046] The present invention further provides a method of augmenting a host genome by contacting cells with an expression cassette or vector of the invention, i.e., one having a nucleotide sequence that directs transcription of a linked nucleic acid fragment in a host cell, wherein the nucleic sequence is from genomic DNA that has at least 65%, and more preferably at least 70%, identity to the sequence of a promoter from a Cochliobolus gene comprising any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 so as to yield transformed plant cells; and regenerating the transformed plant cells to provide a differentiated transformed plant, wherein the differentiated transformed plant expresses the linked fragment in the cells of the plant in response to infection. The present invention also provides a plant prepared by the method, progeny and seed thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0047] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures where:

[0048]FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the overall strategy for high throughput gene knockout by homologous recombination using fungi as an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The following detailed description is provided to aid those skilled in the art in practicing the present invention. Even so, this detailed description should not be construed to unduly limit the present invention as modifications and variations in the embodiments discussed herein can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventive discovery.

[0050] All publications, patents, patent applications, public databases and other references cited in this application are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individual publication, patent, patent application, public database or other reference were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0051] As used herein, the terms “animal” and “mammal” include human beings.

[0052] The term “nucleic acid” refers to deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides and polymers thereof in either single- or double-stranded form, composed of monomers (nucleotides) containing a sugar, phosphate and a base which is either a purine or pyrimidine. Unless specifically limited, the term encompasses nucleic acids containing known analogs of natural nucleotides which have similar binding properties as the reference nucleic acid and are metabolized in a manner similar to naturally occurring nucleotides. Unless otherwise indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence also implicitly encompasses conservatively modified variants thereof (e.g., degenerate codon substitutions) and complementary sequences as well as the sequence explicitly indicated. Specifically, degenerate codon substitutions may be achieved by generating sequences in which the third position of one or more selected (or all) codons is substituted with mixed-base and/or deoxyinosine residues (Batzer et al., Nuc. Acid. Res., 19:5081, 1991; Ohtsuka et al., J. Biol. Chem., 260:2605, 1985; Rossolini et al., Molec. Cell. Probes.,8:91, 1994). A “nucleic acid fragment” is a fraction of a given nucleic acid molecule. In higher plants, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the genetic material while ribonucleic acid (RNA) is involved in the transfer of information contained within DNA into proteins. The term “nucleotide sequence” refers to a polymer of DNA or RNA which can be single or double-stranded, optionally containing synthetic, non-natural or altered nucleotide bases capable of incorporation into DNA or RNA polymers. The terms “nucleic acid”, “nucleic acid molecule”, “nucleic acid fragment” or “nucleic acid sequence or segment” may also be used interchangeably with gene, cDNA, DNA and RNA encoded by a gene.

[0053] The invention encompasses isolated or substantially purified nucleic acid or protein compositions. In the context of the present invention, an “isolated” or “purified” DNA molecule or an “isolated” or “purified” polypeptide is a DNA molecule or polypeptide that, by the hand of man, exists apart from its native environment and is therefore not a product of nature. An isolated DNA molecule or polypeptide may exist in a purified form or may exist in a non-native environment such as, for example, a transgenic host cell. For example, an “isolated” or “purified” nucleic acid molecule or protein, or biologically active portion thereof, is substantially free of other cellular material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant techniques, or substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. In one embodiment, an “isolated” nucleic acid is free of sequences that naturally flank the nucleic acid (i.e., sequences located at the 5′ and/or 3′ ends of the nucleic acid) in the genomic DNA of the organism from which the nucleic acid is derived. For example, in various embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid molecule can contain less than about 5 kb, 4 kb, 3 kb, 2 kb, 1 kb, 0.5 kb, or 0.1 kb of nucleotide sequences that naturally flank the nucleic acid molecule in genomic DNA of the cell from which the nucleic acid is derived. A protein that is substantially free of cellular material includes preparations of protein or polypeptide having less than about 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, (by dry weight) of contaminating protein. When the protein of the invention, or biologically active portion thereof, is recombinantly produced, preferably culture medium represents less than about 30%, 20%, 10%, or 5% (by dry weight) of chemical precursors or non-protein-of-interest chemicals. Fragments and variants of the disclosed nucleotide sequences and proteins or partial-length proteins encoded thereby are also encompassed by the present invention. By “fragment” or “portion” is meant a full length or less than full length of the nucleotide sequence encoding, or the amino acid sequence of, a polypeptide or protein. Alternatively, fragments or portions of a nucleotide sequence that are useful as hybridization probes generally do not encode fragment proteins retaining biological activity. Thus, fragments or portions of a nucleotide sequence may range from at least about 9 nucleotides, about 12 nucleotides, about 20 nucleotides, about 50 nucleotides, about 100 nucleotides or more.

[0054] The term “gene” is used broadly to refer to any segment of nucleic acid associated with a biological function. Thus, genes include coding sequences and/or the regulatory sequences required for their expression. For example, gene refers to a nucleic acid fragment that expresses mRNA, functional RNA, or specific protein, including regulatory sequences. Genes also include nonexpressed DNA segments that, for example, form recognition sequences for other proteins. Genes can be obtained from a variety of sources, including cloning from a source of interest or synthesizing from known or predicted sequence information, and may include sequences designed to have desired parameters.

[0055] “Naturally occurring” is used to describe an object that can be found in nature as distinct from being artificially produced by man. For example, a protein or nucleotide sequence present in an organism (including a virus), which can be isolated from a source in nature and which has not been intentionally modified by man in the laboratory, is naturally occurring.

[0056] A “marker gene” encodes a selectable or screenable trait.

[0057] “Selectable marker” is a gene whose expression in a cell gives the cell a selective advantage. The selective advantage possessed by the cells transformed with the selectable marker gene may be due to their ability to grow in the presence of a negative selective agent, such as an antibiotic or a herbicide, compared to the growth of non-transformed cells. The selective advantage possessed by the transformed cells, compared to non-transformed cells, may also be due to their enhanced or novel capacity to utilize an added compound as a nutrient, growth factor or energy source. Selectable marker gene also refers to a gene or a combination of genes whose expression in a cell gives the cell both a negative and/or a positive selective advantage.

[0058] The term “chimeric” refers to any gene or DNA that contains 1) DNA sequences, including regulatory and coding sequences, that are not found together in nature, or 2) sequences encoding parts of proteins not naturally adjoined, or 3) parts of promoters that are not naturally adjoined. Accordingly, a chimeric gene may comprise regulatory sequences and coding sequences that are derived from different sources, or comprise regulatory sequences and coding sequences derived from the same source, but arranged in a manner different from that found in nature.

[0059] A “transgene” refers to a gene that has been introduced into the genome by transformation and is stably maintained. Transgenes may include, for example, DNA that is either heterologous or homologous to the DNA of a particular plant to be transformed. Additionally, transgenes may comprise native genes inserted into a non-native organism, or chimeric genes. The term “endogenous gene” refers to a native gene in its natural location in the genome of an organism. A “foreign” gene refers to a gene not normally found in the host organism but that is introduced by gene transfer.

[0060] The terms “protein,” “peptide” and “polypeptide” are used interchangeably herein.

[0061] By “variants” is intended substantially similar sequences. For nucleotide sequences, variants include those sequences that, because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, encode the identical amino acid sequence of the native protein. Naturally occurring allelic variants such as these can be identified with the use of well-known molecular biology techniques, as, for example, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization techniques. Variant nucleotide sequences also include synthetically derived nucleotide sequences, such as those generated, for example, by using site-directed mutagenesis which encode the native protein, as well as those that encode a polypeptide having amino acid substitutions. Generally, nucleotide sequence variants of the invention will have at least 40, 50, 60, to 70%, e.g., preferably 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, to 79%, generally at least 80%, e.g., 81%-84%, at least 85%, e.g., 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, to 98%, sequence identity to the native (endogenous) nucleotide sequence.

[0062] “DNA shuffling” is a method to introduce mutations or rearrangements, preferably randomly, in a DNA molecule or to generate exchanges of DNA sequences between two or more DNA molecules, preferably randomly. The DNA molecule resulting from DNA shuffling is a shuffled DNA molecule that is a non-naturally occurring DNA molecule derived from at least one template DNA molecule. The shuffled DNA preferably encodes a variant polypeptide modified with respect to the polypeptide encoded by the template DNA, and may have an altered biological activity with respect to the polypeptide encoded by the template DNA.

[0063] The nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be optimized for enhanced expression in species of interest. For plants, see EPA035472; WO91/16432; Perlak et al., Proc. Acad. Natl. Sci., USA, 88:3324, 1991; and Murray et al., Nuc. Acid. Res., 17:477, 1989. In this manner, the genes or gene fragments can be synthesized utilizing species-preferred codons. See, for example, Campbell and Gowri, Plant Physiol., 92:1, 1990 for a discussion of host-preferred codon usage. Thus, the nucleotide sequences can be optimized for expression in any organism. It is recognized that all or any part of the gene sequence may be optimized or synthetic. That is, synthetic or partially optimized sequences may also be used. Variant nucleotide sequences and proteins also encompass sequences and protein derived from a mutagenic and recombinogenic procedure such as DNA shuffling. With such a procedure, one or more different coding sequences can be manipulated to create a new polypeptide possessing the desired properties. In this manner, libraries of recombinant polynucleotides are generated from a population of related sequence polynucleotides comprising sequence regions that have substantial sequence identity and can be homologously recombined in vitro or in vivo. Strategies for such DNA shuffling are known in the art. See, for example, Stemmer, Nature, 370:389, 94; Stemmer, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 91:10747, 1994; Crameri et al., Nature, 391:288, 1997; Moore et al., J. Molec. Biol., 272:336, 1997; Zhang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 94:4504, 1997; Crameri et al., Nature, 391:288, 1998; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,793 and 5,837,458.

[0064] “Conservatively modified variations” of a particular nucleic acid sequence refers to those nucleic acid sequences that encode identical or essentially identical amino acid sequences, or where the nucleic acid sequence does not encode an amino acid sequence, to essentially identical sequences. Because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, a large number of functionally identical nucleic acids encode any given polypeptide. For instance the codons CGT, CGC, CGA, CGG, AGA, and AGG all encode the amino acid arginine. Thus, at every position where an arginine is specified by a codon, the codon can be altered to any of the corresponding codons described without altering the encoded protein. Such nucleic acid variations are “silent variations” which are one species of “conservatively modified variations.” Every nucleic acid sequence described herein which encodes a polypeptide also describes every possible silent variation, except where otherwise noted. One of skill will recognize that each codon in a nucleic acid (except ATG, which is ordinarily the only codon for methionine) can be modified to yield a functionally identical molecule by standard techniques. Accordingly, each “silent variation” of a nucleic acid which encodes a polypeptide is implicit in each described sequence.

[0065] “Recombinant DNA molecule” is a combination of DNA sequences that are joined together using recombinant DNA technology and procedures used to join together DNA sequences as described, for example, in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989).

[0066] The terms “heterologous DNA sequence,” “exogenous DNA segment” or “heterologous nucleic acid,” each refer to a sequence that originates from a source foreign to the particular host cell or, if from the same source, is modified from its original form. Thus, a heterologous gene in a host cell includes a gene that is endogenous to the particular host cell but has been modified through, for example, the use of DNA shuffling. The terms also include non-naturally occurring multiple copies of a naturally occurring DNA sequence. Thus, the terms refer to a DNA segment that is foreign or heterologous to the cell, or homologous to the cell but in a position within the host cell nucleic acid in which the element is not ordinarily found. Exogenous DNA segments are expressed to yield exogenous polypeptides.

[0067] A “homologous” DNA sequence is a DNA sequence that is naturally associated with a host cell into which it is introduced.

[0068] “Wild-type” refers to the normal gene, or organism found in nature without any known mutation.

[0069] “Genome” refers to the complete genetic material of an organism.

[0070] “Vector” is defined to include, inter alia, any plasmid, cosmid, phage or Agrobacterium binary vector in double or single stranded linear or circular form which may or may not be self transmissible or mobilizable, and which can transform prokaryotic or eukaryotic host either by integration into the cellular genome or exist extrachromosomally (e.g. autonomous replicating plasmid with an origin of replication).

[0071] Specifically included are shuttle vectors by which is meant a DNA vehicle capable, naturally or by design, of replication in two different host organisms, which may be selected from actinomycetes and related species, bacteria and eukaryotic (e.g. higher plant, mammalian, yeast or fungal cells).

[0072] “Cloning vectors” typically contain one or a small number of restriction endonuclease recognition sites at which foreign DNA sequences can be inserted in a determinable fashion without loss of essential biological function of the vector, as well as a marker gene that is suitable for use in the identification and selection of cells transformed with the cloning vector. Marker genes typically include genes that provide tetracycline resistance, hygromycin resistance or ampicillin resistance.

[0073] “Expression cassette” as used herein means a DNA sequence capable of directing expression of a particular nucleotide sequence in an appropriate host cell, typically comprising a promoter operably linked to the nucleotide sequence of interest which is operably linked to termination signals. It also typically comprises sequences required for proper translation of the nucleotide sequence. The coding region usually codes for a protein of interest but may also code for a functional RNA of interest, for example antisense RNA or a nontranslated RNA, in the sense or antisense direction. The expression cassette comprising the nucleotide sequence of interest may be chimeric, meaning that at least one of its components is heterologous with respect to at least one of its other components. The expression cassette may also be one which is naturally occurring but has been obtained in a recombinant form useful for heterologous expression. The expression of the nucleotide sequence in the expression cassette may be under the control of a constitutive promoter or of an inducible promoter which initiates transcription only when the host cell is exposed to some particular external stimulus. In the case of a multicellular organism, the promoter can also be specific to a particular tissue or organ or stage of development.

[0074] Such expression cassettes may comprise the transcriptional initiation region of the invention linked to a nucleotide sequence of interest. Such an expression cassette is provided with a plurality of restriction sites for insertion of the gene of interest to be under the transcriptional regulation of the regulatory regions. The expression cassette may additionally contain selectable marker genes.

[0075] The transcriptional cassette will typically include in the 5′-3′ direction of transcription, a transcriptional and translational initiation region, a DNA sequence of interest, and a transcriptional and translational termination region functional in plants. The termination region may be native with the transcriptional initiation region, may be native with the DNA sequence of interest, or may be derived from another source. For plants, convenient termination regions are available from the Ti-plasmid of A. tumefaciens, such as the octopine synthase and nopaline synthase termination regions. See also, Guerineau et al., Molec. Gen. Genet., 262:141 1991; Proudfoot, Cell, 64:671, 1991; Sanfacon et al., Genes Devel., 5:141, 1991; Mogen et al., Plant Cell, 2:1261, 1990; Munroe et al., Gene, 91:151, 1990; Ballas et al., Nuc. Acids. Res., 17:7891 1989; Joshi et al., Nuc. Acid. Res., 15:9627, 1987.

[0076] An oligonucleotide corresponding to a nucleic acid molecule of the invention may be about 30 or fewer nucleotides in length (e.g., 9, 12, 15, 18, 20, 21 or 24, or any number between 9 and 30). Generally specific primers are upwards of 14 nucleotides in length. For optimum specificity and cost effectiveness, primers of 16-24 nucleotides in length may be preferred. Those skilled in the art are well versed in the design of primers for use processes such as PCR. If required, probing can be done with entire restriction fragments of the gene disclosed herein which may be 100' or even 1000' of nucleotides in length.

[0077] “Coding sequence” refers to a DNA or RNA sequence that codes for a specific amino acid sequence and excludes the non-coding sequences. It may constitute an “uninterrupted coding sequence”, i.e., lacking an intron, such as in a cDNA or it may include one or more introns bounded by appropriate splice junctions. An “intron” is a sequence of RNA which is contained in the primary transcript but which is removed through cleavage and re-ligation of the RNA within the cell to create the mature mRNA that can be translated into a protein.

[0078] The terms “open reading frame” and “ORF” refer to the amino acid sequence encoded between translation initiation and termination codons of a coding sequence. The terms “initiation codon” and “termination codon” refer to a unit of three adjacent nucleotides (‘codon’) in a coding sequence that specifies initiation and chain termination, respectively, of protein synthesis (mRNA translation).

[0079] A “functional RNA” refers to an antisense RNA, ribozyme, or other RNA that is not translated but performs some function in a cell.

[0080] The term “RNA transcript” refers to the product resulting from RNA polymerase catalyzed transcription of a DNA sequence. When the RNA transcript is a perfect complementary copy of the DNA sequence, it is referred to as the primary transcript or it may be a RNA sequence derived from posttranscriptional processing of the primary transcript and is referred to as the mature RNA. “Messenger RNA” (mRNA) refers to the RNA that is without introns and that can be translated into protein by the cell. “cDNA” refers to a single- or a double-stranded DNA that is complementary to and derived from mRNA.

[0081] “Regulatory sequences” and “suitable regulatory sequences” each refer to nucleotide sequences located upstream (5′ non-coding sequences), within, or downstream (3′ non-coding sequences) of a coding sequence, and which influence the transcription, RNA processing or stability, or translation of the associated coding sequence. Regulatory sequences include enhancers, promoters, translation leader sequences, introns, and polyadenylation signal sequences. They include natural and synthetic sequences as well as sequences which may be a combination of synthetic and natural sequences. As is noted above, the term “suitable regulatory sequences” is not limited to promoters. However, some suitable regulatory sequences useful in the present invention will include, but are not limited to constitutive plant promoters, plant tissue-specific promoters, plant development specific promoters, inducible plant promoters and viral promoters.

[0082] “5′ non-coding sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence located 5′ (upstream) to the coding sequence. It is present in the fully processed mRNA upstream of the initiation codon and may affect processing of the primary transcript to mRNA, mRNA stability or translation efficiency (Turner et al., Molec. Biotechnol., 3:225, 1995).

[0083] “3′ non-coding sequence” refers to nucleotide sequences located 3′ (downstream) to a coding sequence and include polyadenylation signal sequences and other sequences encoding regulatory signals capable of affecting mRNA processing or gene expression. The polyadenylation signal is usually characterized by affecting the addition of polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3′ end of the mRNA precursor. The use of different 3′ non-coding sequences is exemplified by Ingelbrecht et al., Plant Cell, 1:671, 1989.

[0084] The term “translation leader sequence” refers to that DNA sequence portion of a gene between the promoter and coding sequence that is transcribed into RNA and is present in the fully processed mRNA upstream (5′) of the translation start codon. The translation leader sequence may affect processing of the primary transcript to mRNA, mRNA stability or translation efficiency.

[0085] The term “mature” protein refers to a post-translationally processed polypeptide without its signal peptide. “Precursor” protein refers to the primary product of translation of an mRNA. “Signal peptide” refers to the amino terminal extension of a polypeptide, which is translated in conjunction with the polypeptide forming a precursor peptide and which is required for its entrance into the secretory pathway. The term “signal sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence that encodes the signal peptide.

[0086] The term “intracellular localization sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an intracellular targeting signal. An “intracellular targeting signal” is an amino acid sequence that is translated in conjunction with a protein and directs it to a particular sub-cellular compartment. “Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stop transit signal” refers to a carboxy-terminal extension of a polypeptide, which is translated in conjunction with the polypeptide and causes a protein that enters the secretory pathway to be retained in the ER. “ER stop transit sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence that encodes the ER targeting signal. Other intracellular targeting sequences encode targeting signals active in seeds and/or leaves and vacuolar targeting signals.

[0087] “Promoter” refers to a nucleotide sequence, usually upstream (5′) to its coding sequence, which controls the expression of the coding sequence by providing the recognition for RNA polymerase and other factors required for proper transcription.

[0088] “Promoter” includes a minimal promoter that is a short DNA sequence comprised of a TATA-box and other sequences that serve to specify the site of transcription initiation, to which regulatory elements are added for control of expression. “Promoter” also refers to a nucleotide sequence that includes a minimal promoter plus regulatory elements that is capable of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or functional RNA. This type of promoter sequence consists of proximal and more distal upstream elements, the latter elements often referred to as enhancers. Accordingly, an “enhancer” is a DNA sequence which can stimulate promoter activity and may be an innate element of the promoter or a heterologous element inserted to enhance the level or tissue specificity of a promoter. It is capable of operating in both orientations (normal or flipped), and is capable of functioning even when moved either upstream or downstream from the promoter. Both enhancers and other upstream promoter elements bind sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins that mediate their effects. Promoters may be derived in their entirety from a native gene, or be composed of different elements derived from different promoters found in nature, or even be comprised of synthetic DNA segments. A promoter may also contain DNA sequences that are involved in the binding of protein factors which control the effectiveness of transcription initiation in response to physiological or developmental conditions.

[0089] The “initiation site” is the position surrounding the first nucleotide that is part of the transcribed sequence, which is also defined as position +1. With respect to this site all other sequences of the gene and its controlling regions are numbered. Downstream sequences (i.e. further protein encoding sequences in the 3′ direction) are denominated positive, while upstream sequences (mostly of the controlling regions in the 5′ direction) are denominated negative.

[0090] Promoter elements, particularly a TATA element, that are inactive or that have greatly reduced promoter activity in the absence of upstream activation are referred to as “minimal or core promoters.” In the presence of a suitable transcription factor, the minimal promoter functions to permit transcription. A “minimal or core promoter” thus consists only of all basal elements needed for transcription initiation, e.g., a TATA box and/or an initiator.

[0091] “Constitutive expression” refers to expression using a constitutive or regulated promoter. “Conditional” and “regulated expression” refer to expression controlled by a regulated promoter.

[0092] “Constitutive promoter” refers to a promoter that is able to express the gene that it controls in all or nearly all of the plant tissues during all or nearly all developmental stages of the plant.

[0093] “Regulated promoter” refers to promoters that direct gene expression not constitutively, but in a temporally- and/or spatially-regulated manner, and include both tissue-specific and inducible promoters. It includes natural and synthetic sequences as well as sequences which may be a combination of synthetic and natural sequences. Different promoters may direct the expression of a gene in different tissues or cell types, or at different stages of development, or in response to different environmental conditions. New promoters of various types useful in plant cells are constantly being discovered, numerous examples may be found in the compilation by Okamuro et al., Biochem. Plants, 15:1, 1989. Since in most cases the exact boundaries of regulatory sequences have not been completely defined, DNA fragments of different lengths may have identical promoter activity. Typical regulated promoters useful in plants include but are not limited to safener-inducible promoters, promoters derived from the tetracycline-inducible system, promoters derived from salicylate-inducible systems, promoters derived from alcohol-inducible systems, promoters derived from glucocorticoid-inducible system, promoters derived from pathogen-inducible systems, and promoters derived from ecdysome-inducible systems.

[0094] “Tissue-specific promoter” refers to regulated promoters that are not expressed in all plant cells but only in one or more cell types in specific organs (such as leaves or seeds), specific tissues (such as embryo or cotyledon), or specific cell types (such as leaf parenchyma or seed storage cells). These also include promoters that are temporally regulated, such as in early or late embryogenesis, during fruit ripening in developing seeds or fruit, in fully differentiated leaf, or at the onset of senescence.

[0095] “Inducible promoter” refers to those regulated promoters that can be turned on in one or more cell types by an external stimulus, such as a chemical, light, hormone, stress, or a pathogen.

[0096] “Operably-linked” refers to the association of nucleic acid sequences on single nucleic acid fragment so that the function of one is affected by the other. For example, a regulatory DNA sequence is said to be “operably linked to” or “associated with” a DNA sequence that codes for an RNA or a polypeptide if the two sequences are situated such that the regulatory DNA sequence affects expression of the coding DNA sequence (i.e., that the coding sequence or functional RNA is under the transcriptional control of the promoter). Coding sequences can be operably-linked to regulatory sequences in sense or antisense orientation.

[0097] “Expression” refers to the transcription and/or translation of a polynucleotide, such as an endogenous gene or a transgene, in plants. For example, in the case of antisense constructs, expression may refer to the transcription of the antisense DNA only. In addition, expression refers to the transcription and stable accumulation of sense (mRNA) or functional RNA. Expression may also refer to the production of protein.

[0098] “Antisense inhibition” refers to the production of antisense RNA transcripts capable of suppressing the expression of protein from an endogenous gene or a transgene.

[0099] “Co-suppression” and “transwitch” each refer to the production of sense RNA transcripts capable of suppressing the expression of identical or substantially similar transgene or endogenous genes (U.S. Pat. No.5,231,020).

[0100] “Gene silencing” refers to homology-dependent suppression of viral genes, transgenes, or endogenous nuclear genes. Gene silencing may be transcriptional, when the suppression is due to decreased transcription of the affected genes, or post-transcriptional, when the suppression is due to increased turnover (degradation) of RNA species homologous to the affected genes. (English et al., Plant Cell, 8:179, 1996). Gene silencing includes virus-induced gene silencing (Ruiz et al., Plant Cell, 10:937, 1998).

[0101] “Chromosomally-integrated” refers to the integration of a foreign gene or DNA construct into the host DNA by covalent bonds. Where genes are not “chromosomally integrated” they may be “transiently expressed.” Transient expression of a gene refers to the expression of a gene that is not integrated into the host chromosome but functions independently, either as part of an autonomously replicating plasmid or expression cassette, for example, or as part of another biological system such as a virus.

[0102] The following terms are used to describe the sequence relationships between two or more nucleic acids or polynucleotides: (a) “reference sequence”, (b) “comparison window”, (c) “sequence identity”, (d) “percentage of sequence identity”, and (e) “substantial identity”.

[0103] (a) As used herein, “reference sequence” is a defined sequence used as a basis for sequence comparison. A reference sequence may be a subset or the entirety of a specified sequence; for example, as a segment of a full length cDNA or gene sequence, or the complete cDNA or gene sequence.

[0104] (b) As used herein, “comparison window” makes reference to a contiguous and specified segment of a polynucleotide sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence in the comparison window may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) compared to the reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions) for optimal alignment of the two sequences. Generally, the comparison window is at least 20 contiguous nucleotides in length, and optionally can be 30, 40, 50, 100, or longer. Those of skill in the art understand that to avoid a high similarity to a reference sequence due to inclusion of gaps in the polynucleotide sequence a gap penalty is typically introduced and is subtracted from the number of matches.

[0105] Methods of alignment of sequences for comparison are well known in the art. Thus, the determination of percent identity between any two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. Preferred, non-limiting examples of such mathematical algorithms are the algorithm of Myers and Miller, CABIOS, 4:11, 1988; the local homology algorithm of Smith et al., Adv. Appl. Math., 2:482, 1981; the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch, J. Molec. Biol.,48:433, 1970; the search-for-similarity method of Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:2444, 1988; the algorithm of Karlin and Altschul, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:2264, 1990, modified as in Karlin and Altschul, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:5873, 1993.

[0106] Computer implementations of these mathematical algorithms can be utilized for comparison of sequences to determine sequence identity. Such implementations include, but are not limited to: CLUSTAL in the PC/Gene program (available from Intelligenetics, Mountain View, Calif.); the ALIGN program (Version 2.0) and GAP, BESTFIT, BLAST, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Version 8 (available from Genetics Computer Group (GCG), 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wis., USA). Alignments using these programs can be performed using the default parameters. The CLUSTAL program is well described by Higgins et al., Gene, 73:237, 1988; Higgins et al., CABIOS, 5:151, 1989; Corpet et al., Nuc. Acids Res., 16:10881, 1988; Huang et al., CABIOS, 8:155, 1992; and Pearson et al., Meth. Molec. Biol., 24:307, 1994. The ALIGN program is based on the algorithm of Myers and Miller, supra. The BLAST programs of Altschul et al., J. Molec. Biol., 215:403, 1990, are based on the algorithm of Karlin and Altschul supra.

[0107] Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). This algorithm involves first identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of length W in the query sequence, which either match or satisfy some positive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the same length in a database sequence. T is referred to as the neighborhood word score threshold (Altschul et al., 1990). These initial neighborhood word hits act as seeds for initiating searches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are then extended in both directions along each sequence for as far as the cumulative alignment score can be increased. Cumulative scores are calculated using, for nucleotide sequences, the parameters M (reward score for a pair of matching residues; always >0) and N (penalty score for mismatching residues; always <0). For amino acid sequences, a scoring matrix is used to calculate the cumulative score. Extension of the word hits in each direction are halted when the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity X from its maximum achieved value, the cumulative score goes to zero or below due to the accumulation of one or more negative-scoring residue alignments, or the end of either sequence is reached.

[0108] In addition to calculating percent sequence identity, the BLAST algorithm also performs a statistical analysis of the similarity between two sequences (see, e.g., Karlin & Altschul, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:5873, 1993). One measure of similarity provided by the BLAST algorithm is the smallest sum probability (P(N)), which provides an indication of the probability by which a match between two nucleotide or amino acid sequences would occur by chance. For example, a test nucleic acid sequence is considered similar to a reference sequence if the smallest sum probability in a comparison of the test nucleic acid sequence to the reference nucleic acid sequence is less than about 0.1, more preferably less than about 0.01, and most preferably less than about 0.001.

[0109] To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST (in BLAST 2.0) can be utilized as described in Altschul et al., Nuc. Acids Res., 25:3389, 1997. Alternatively, PSI-BLAST (in BLAST 2.0) can be used to perform an iterated search that detects distant relationships between molecules. See Altschul et al., supra. When utilizing BLAST, Gapped BLAST, PSI-BLAST, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g. BLASTN for nucleotide sequences, BLASTX for proteins) can be used. The BLASTN program (for nucleotide sequences) uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, an expectation (E) of 10, a cutoff of 100, M=5, N=-4, and a comparison of both strands. For amino acid sequences, the BLASTP program uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 3, an expectation (E) of 10, and the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Henikoff & Henikoff, 1989). See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Alignment may also be performed manually by inspection.

[0110] For purposes of the present invention, comparison of nucleotide sequences for determination of percent sequence identity to the promoter sequences disclosed herein is preferably made using the BlastN program (version 1.4.7 or later) with its default parameters or any equivalent program. By “equivalent program” is intended any sequence comparison program that, for any two sequences in question, generates an alignment having identical nucleotide or amino acid residue matches and an identical percent sequence identity when compared to the corresponding alignment generated by the preferred program.

[0111] (c) As used herein, “sequence identity” or “identity” in the context of two nucleic acid or polypeptide sequences makes reference to a specified percentage of residues in the two sequences that are the same when aligned for maximum correspondence over a specified comparison window, as measured by sequence comparison algorithms or by visual inspection. When percentage of sequence identity is used in reference to proteins it is recognized that residue positions which are not identical often differ by conservative amino acid substitutions, where amino acid residues are substituted for other amino acid residues with similar chemical properties (e.g., charge or hydrophobicity) and therefore do not change the functional properties of the molecule. When sequences differ in conservative substitutions, the percent sequence identity may be adjusted upwards to correct for the conservative nature of the substitution. Sequences that differ by such conservative substitutions are said to have “sequence similarity” or “similarity.” Means for making this adjustment are well known to those of skill in the art. Typically this involves scoring a conservative substitution as a partial rather than a full mismatch, thereby increasing the percentage sequence identity. Thus, for example, where an identical amino acid is given a score of 1 and a nonconservative substitution is given a score of zero, a conservative substitution is given a score between zero and 1. The scoring of conservative substitutions is calculated, e.g., as implemented in the program PC/GENE (Intelligenetics, Mountain View, Calif.).

[0112] (d) As used herein, “percentage of sequence identity” means the value determined by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over a comparison window, wherein the portion of the polynucleotide sequence in the comparison window may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) as compared to the reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions) for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The percentage is calculated by determining the number of positions at which the identical nucleic acid base or amino acid residue occurs in both sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the window of comparison, and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity.

[0113] (e)(i) The term “substantial identity” of polynucleotide sequences means that a polynucleotide comprises a sequence that has at least 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, or 79%, preferably at least 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, or 89%, more preferably at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, or 94%, and most preferably at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity, compared to a reference sequence using one of the alignment programs described using standard parameters. One of skill in the art will recognize that these values can be appropriately adjusted to determine corresponding identity of proteins encoded by two nucleotide sequences by taking into account codon degeneracy, amino acid similarity, reading frame positioning, and the like. Substantial identity of amino acid sequences for these purposes normally means sequence identity of at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, 90%, and most preferably at least 95%.

[0114] Another indication that nucleotide sequences are substantially identical is if two molecules hybridize to each other under stringent conditions (see below). Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. However, stringent conditions encompass temperatures in the range of about 1° C. to about 20° C., depending upon the desired degree of stringency as otherwise qualified herein. Nucleic acids that do not hybridize to each other under stringent conditions are still substantially identical if the polypeptides they encode are substantially identical. This may occur, e.g., when a copy of a nucleic acid is created using the maximum codon degeneracy permitted by the genetic code. One indication that two nucleic acid sequences are substantially identical is when the polypeptide encoded by the first nucleic acid is immunologically cross reactive with the polypeptide encoded by the second nucleic acid.

[0115] (e)(ii) The term “substantial identity” in the context of a peptide indicates that a peptide comprises a sequence with at least 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, or 79%, preferably 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, or 89%, more preferably at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, or 94%, or even more preferably, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, sequence identity to the reference sequence over a specified comparison window. Preferably, optimal alignment is conducted using the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch, J. Molec. Biol., 48:433, 1970. An indication that two peptide sequences are substantially identical is that one peptide is immunologically reactive with antibodies raised against the second peptide. Thus, a peptide is substantially identical to a second peptide, for example, where the two peptides differ only by a conservative substitution.

[0116] For sequence comparison, typically one sequence acts as a reference sequence to which test sequences are compared. When using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are input into a computer, subsequence coordinates are designated if necessary, and sequence algorithm program parameters are designated. The sequence comparison algorithm then calculates the percent sequence identity for the test sequence(s) relative to the reference sequence, based on the designated program parameters.

[0117] As noted above, another indication that two nucleic acid sequences are substantially identical is that the two molecules hybridize to each other under stringent conditions. The phrase “hybridizing specifically to” refers to the binding, duplexing, or hybridizing of a molecule only to a particular nucleotide sequence under stringent conditions when that sequence is present in a complex mixture (e.g., total cellular) DNA or RNA. “Bind(s) substantially” refers to complementary hybridization between a probe nucleic acid and a target nucleic acid and embraces minor mismatches that can be accommodated by reducing the stringency of the hybridization media to achieve the desired detection of the target nucleic acid sequence.

[0118] “Stringent hybridization conditions” and “stringent hybridization wash conditions” in the context of nucleic acid hybridization experiments such as Southern and Northern hybridizations are sequence dependent, and are different under different environmental parameters. Longer sequences hybridize specifically at higher temperatures. The T_(m) is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. Specificity is typically the function of post-hybridization washes, the critical factors being the ionic strength and temperature of the final wash solution. For DNA-DNA hybrids, the T_(m) can be approximated from the equation of Meinkoth and Wahl, Anal. Biochem., 138:267, 1984; T_(m) 81.5° C. +16.6 (log M) +0.41 (% GC)−0.61 (% form)−500/L; where M is the molarity of monovalent cations, %GC is the percentage of guanosine and cytosine nucleotides in the DNA, % form is the percentage of formamide in the hybridization solution, and L is the length of the hybrid in base pairs. T_(m) is reduced by about 1° C. for each 1% of mismatching; thus; T_(m), hybridization, and/or wash conditions can be adjusted to hybridize to sequences of the desired identity. For example, if sequences with >90% identity are sought, the T_(m) can be decreased 10° C. Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)) for the specific sequence and its complement at a defined ionic strength and pH. However, severely stringent conditions can utilize a hybridization and/or wash at 1, 2, 3, or 4° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)); moderately stringent conditions can utilize a hybridization and/or wash at 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)); low stringency conditions can utilize a hybridization and/or wash at 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)). Using the equation, hybridization and wash compositions, and desired T, those of ordinary skill will understand that variations in the stringency of hybridization and/or wash solutions are inherently described. If the desired degree of mismatching results in a T of less than 45° C. (aqueous solution) or 32° C. (formamide solution), it is preferred to increase the SSC concentration so that a higher temperature can be used. An extensive guide to the hybridization of nucleic acids is found in Tijssen, Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Hybridization with Nucleic Acids, part I, ch. 2, Elsevier, N.Y., 1993. Generally, highly stringent hybridization and wash conditions are selected to be about 5° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH.

[0119] An example of highly stringent wash conditions is 0.15 M NaCl at 72° C. for about 15 minutes. An example of stringent wash conditions is a 0.2×SSC wash at 65° C. for 15 minutes (see, Sambrook, infra, for a description of SSC buffer). Often, a high stringency wash is preceded by a low stringency wash to remove background probe signal. An example medium stringency wash for a duplex of, e.g., more than 100 nucleotides, is 1×SSC at 45° C. for 15 minutes. An example low stringency wash for a duplex of, e.g., more than 100 nucleotides, is 4-6×SSC at 40° C. for 15 minutes. For short probes (e.g., about 10 to 50 nucleotides), stringent conditions typically involve salt concentrations of less than about 1.5 M, more preferably about 0.01 to 1.0 M, Na ion concentration (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3, and the temperature is typically at least about 30° C. and at least about 60° C. for long probes (e.g., >50 nucleotides). Stringent conditions may also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents such as formamide. In general, a signal to noise ratio of 2×(or higher) than that observed for an unrelated probe in the particular hybridization assay indicates detection of a specific hybridization. Nucleic acids that do not hybridize to each other under stringent conditions are still substantially identical if the proteins that they encode are substantially identical. This occurs, e.g., when a copy of a nucleic acid is created using the maximum codon degeneracy permitted by the genetic code.

[0120] Very stringent conditions are selected to be equal to the T_(m) for a particular probe. An example of stringent conditions for hybridization of complementary nucleic acids which have more than 100 complementary residues on a filter in a Southern or Northern blot is 50% formamide, e.g., hybridization in 50% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS at 37° C., and a wash in 0.1×SSC at 60 to 65° C. Exemplary low stringency conditions include hybridization with a buffer solution of 30 to 35% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) at 37° C., and a wash in 1× to 2×SSC (20×SSC=3.0 M NaCl/0.3 M trisodium citrate) at 50 to 55° C. Exemplary moderate stringency conditions include hybridization in 40 to 45% formamide, 1.0 M NaCl, 1% SDS at 37° C., and a wash in 0.5× to 1×SSC at 55 to 60° C.

[0121] The following are examples of sets of hybridization/wash conditions that may be used to clone orthologous nucleotide sequences that are substantially identical to reference nucleotide sequences of the present invention: a reference nucleotide sequence preferably hybridizes to the reference nucleotide sequence in 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 M NaPO₄, 1 mM EDTA at 50° C. with washing in 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50° C., more desirably in 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 M NaPO₄, 1 mM EDTA at 50° C. with washing in 1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50° C., more desirably still in 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 M NaPO₄, 1 mM EDTA at 50° C. with washing in 0.5×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50° C., preferably in 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 M NaPO₄, 1 mM EDTA at 50° C. with washing in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50° C., more preferably in 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 M NaPO₄, 1 mM EDTA at 50° C. with washing in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

[0122] By “variant” polypeptide is intended a polypeptide derived from the native protein by deletion (so-called truncation) or addition of one or more amino acids to the N-terminal and/or C-terminal end of the native protein; deletion or addition of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the native protein; or substitution of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the native protein. Such variants may results form, for example, genetic polymorphism or from human manipulation. Methods for such manipulations are generally known in the art.

[0123] Thus, the polypeptides of the invention may be altered in various ways including amino acid substitutions, deletions, truncations, and insertions. Methods for such manipulations are generally known in the art. For example, amino acid sequence variants of the polypeptides can be prepared by mutations in the DNA. Methods for mutagenesis and nucleotide sequence alterations are well known in the art. See, for example, Kunkel, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82:488, 1985; Kunkel et al., Methods in Enzymol., 154:367, 1987; U.S. Pat. No.4,873,192; Walker and Gaastra, Techniques in Molecular Biology, MacMillan, New York, 1983, and the references cited therein. Guidance as to appropriate amino acid substitutions that do not affect biological activity of the protein of interest may be found in the model of Dayhoff et al., Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure, Natl. Biomed. Res. Fnd., Washington D.C., 1978. Conservative substitutions, such as exchanging one amino acid with another having similar properties, are preferred.

[0124] Thus, the genes and nucleotide sequences of the invention include both the naturally occurring sequences as well as mutant forms. Likewise, the polypeptides of the invention encompass both naturally occurring proteins as well as variations and modified forms thereof. Such variants will continue to possess the desired activity. The deletions, insertions, and substitutions of the polypeptide sequence encompassed herein are not expected to produce radical changes in the characteristics of the polypeptide. However, when it is difficult to predict the exact effect of the substitution, deletion, or insertion in advance of doing so, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the effect will be evaluated by routine screening assays.

[0125] Individual substitutions deletions or additions that alter, add or delete a single amino acid or a small percentage of amino acids (typically less than 5%, more typically less than 1%) in an encoded sequence are “conservatively modified variations,” where the alterations result in the substitution of an amino acid with a chemically similar amino acid. Conservative substitution tables providing functionally similar amino acids are well known in the art. The following five groups each contain amino acids that are conservative substitutions for one another: Aliphatic: Glycine (G), Alanine (A), Valine (V), Leucine (L), Isoleucine (I); Aromatic: Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W); Sulfur-containing: Methionine (M), Cysteine (C); Basic: Arginine (R), Lysine (K), Histidine (H); Acidic: Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E), Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q). In addition, individual substitutions, deletions or additions which alter, add or delete a single amino acid or a small percentage of amino acids in an encoded sequence are also “conservatively modified variations.”

[0126] The term “transformation” refers to the transfer of a nucleic acid fragment into the genome of a host cell, resulting in genetically stable inheritance. Host cells containing the transformed nucleic acid fragments are referred to as “transgenic” cells, and organisms comprising transgenic cells are referred to as “transgenic organisms”.

[0127] “Transformed,” “transgenic,” and “recombinant” refer to a host cell or organism such as a bacterium, fungus, mammal or a plant into which a heterologous nucleic acid molecule has been introduced. The nucleic acid molecule can be stably integrated into the genome generally known in the art and are disclosed in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, Cold Spring Harbor Press, 1989. See also Innis et al., PCR Protocols, Academic Press, New York, 1995; and Gelfand, PCR Strategies, Academic Press, 1995; and Innis and Gelfand, PCR Methods Manual, Academic Press, 1999. Known methods of PCR include, but are not limited to, methods using paired primers, nested primers, single specific primers, degenerate primers, gene-specific primers, vector-specific primers, partially mismatched primers, and the like. For example, “transformed,” “transformant,” and “transgenic,” plants or calli have been through the transformation process and contain a foreign gene integrated into their chromosome. The term “untransformed” refers to normal plants that have not been through the transformation process.

[0128] “Transiently transformed” refers to cells in which transgenes and foreign DNA have been introduced, but not selected for stable maintenance.

[0129] “Stably transformed” refers to cells that have been selected and regenerated on a selection media following transformation.

[0130] “Transient expression” refers to transgene expression in cells, but not selected for its stable maintenance.

[0131] “Genetically stable” and “heritable” refer to chromosomally-integrated genetic elements that are stably maintained in the plant and stably inherited by progeny through successive generations.

[0132] “Significant increase” is an increase that is larger than the margin of error inherent in the measurement technique, preferably an increase by about 2-fold or greater.

[0133] “Significantly less” means that the decrease is larger than the margin of error inherent in the measurement technique, preferably a decrease by about 2-fold, preferably 5-fold, more preferably 10-fold or greater, e.g., 5- or 10-fold more.

[0134] “Enzyme activity” means herein the ability of an enzyme to catalyze the conversion or a substrate into a product. A substrate for the enzyme comprises the natural substrate of the enzyme but also comprises analogues of the natural substrate which can also be converted by the enzyme into a product or into an analogue of a product. The activity of the enzyme is measured for example by determining the amount of product in the reaction after a certain period of time, or by determining the amount of substrate remaining in the reaction mixture after a certain period of time. The activity of the enzyme is also measured by determining the amount of an unused co-factor of the reaction remaining in the reaction mixture after a certain period of time or by determining the amount of used co-factor in the reaction mixture after a certain period of time. The activity of the enzyme is also measured by determining the amount of a donor of free energy or energy-rich molecule (e.g. ATP, phosphoenolpyruvate, acetyl phosphate or phosphocreatine) remaining in the reaction mixture after a certain period of time or by determining the amount of a used donor of free energy or energy-rich molecule (e.g. ADP, pyruvate, acetate or creatine) in the reaction mixture after a certain period of time.

[0135] “Fungicide” is a chemical substance used to kill or suppress the growth of fungal cells.

[0136] An “inhibitor” is a chemical substance that causes abnormal growth, e.g., by inactivating the enzymatic activity or a protein such as a biosynthetic enzyme, receptor, signal transduction protein, structural gene product, or transport protein that is essential to the growth or survival, or alters the virulence or pathogenicity, of the fungus. In the context of the instant invention, an inhibitor is a chemical substance that alters the activity encoded by any one of SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, or SEQ ID NO:13, or their orthologs.

[0137] A “minimal promoter” is a promoter element, particularly a TATA element, that is inactive or that has greatly reduced promoter activity in the absence of upstream activation. In the presence of a suitable transcription factor, the minimal promoter functions to permit transcription.

[0138] “Modified or altered activity” means that activity that is different from that which naturally occurs in a fungus (i.e., activity that occurs naturally in the absence of direct or indirect manipulation of such activity by man).

[0139] A “substrate” is the molecule that an enzyme naturally recognizes and converts to a product in the biochemical pathway in which the enzyme naturally carries out its function, or is a modified version of the molecule, which is also recognized by the enzyme and is converted by the enzyme to a product in an enzymatic reaction similar to the naturally-occurring reaction.

[0140] “Tolerance” as used herein is the ability of an organism, e.g., a fungus, to continue essentially normal growth or function when exposed to an inhibitor or fungicide in an amount sufficient to suppress the normal growth or function of native, unmodified fungi.

[0141] The present invention provides a method for introducing a modified DNA fragment into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell, including, but not limited to, fungi, yeast, plant or animal cells. Thus, the invention provides chimeric or transgenic cells and organisms such as transgenic fungi, plants and animals having defined, and specific, gene alterations. Homologous recombination is a well-studied natural cellular process which results in the scission of two nucleic acid molecules having identical or substantially similar sequences (i.e., “homologous” sequences), and the ligation of the two molecules such that one region of each initially present molecule is now ligated to a region of the other initially present molecule (Watson, J. D., In: Molecular Biology of the Gene, 3rd Ed., W. A. Benjamin, Inc., Menlo Park, Calif. (1977); Sedivy, J. M., Bio-Technol. 6:1192-1196 (1988))

[0142] Homologous recombination is, thus, a sequence specific process by which cells can transfer a “region” of DNA from one DNA molecule to another. As used herein, a “region” of DNA is intended to generally refer to any nucleic acid molecule. The region may be of any length from a single base to a substantial fragment of a chromosome. For homologous recombination to occur between two DNA molecules, the molecules must possess a “region of homology” with respect to one another. Such a region of homology must be at least two base pairs long. Two DNA molecules possess such a “region of homology” when one contains a region whose sequence is so similar to a region in the second molecule that homologous recombination can occur. Recombination is catalyzed by enzymes which are naturally present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The transfer of a region of DNA may be envisioned as occurring through a multi-step process. If either of the two participant molecules is a circular molecule, then the above recombination event results in the integration of the circular molecule into the other participant.

[0143] Importantly, if a particular region is flanked by regions of homology (which may be the same, but are preferably different), then two recombinational events may occur, and result in the exchange of a region of DNA between two DNA molecules. Recombination may be “reciprocal,” and thus results in an exchange of DNA regions between two recombining DNA molecules. Alternatively, it may be “nonreciprocal,” (also referred to as “gene conversion”) and result in both recombining nucleic acid molecules having the same nucleotide sequence. There are no constraints regarding the size or sequence of the region which is exchanged in a two-event recombinational exchange. The frequency of recombination between two DNA molecules may be enhanced by treating the introduced DNA with agents which stimulate recombination. Examples of such agents include trimethylpsoralen, UV light, and the like, which are known to the art.

[0144] One approach to producing organisms having defined and specific genetic alterations has used homologous recombination to control the site of integration of an introduced marker gene sequence in tumor cells and in fusions between diploid human fibroblast and tetraploid mouse erythroleukemia cells (Smithies et al., Nature 317:230-234, 1985). This approach was further exploited by Thomas, K. R., and co-workers, who described a general method, known as “gene targeting,” for targeting mutations to a preselected, desired gene sequence of an ES cell in order to produce a transgenic animal (Mansour et al., Nature 336:348-352, 1988; Capecchi Trends Genet. 5:70-76, 1989; Capecchi et al., In: Current Communications in Molecular Biology, Capecchi, M. R. (ed.), Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989, pp. 45-52. In order to utilize the “gene targeting” method, the gene of interest must have been previously cloned. The method results in the insertion of a detectable gene into a region of a particular gene of interest. Thus, use of the gene targeting method results in the interruption of the contiguous sequences native of a gene of interest in a native genome.

[0145] The modified DNA fragment which is to be introduced into the recipient cell contains a region of homology with a region of the cellular genome. In a preferred embodiment, the DNA fragment will contain two regions of homology with the genome (both chromosomal and episomal) of the recipient cell. These regions of homology will preferably flank a marker gene. The regions of homology may be of any size greater than two bases long. Most preferably, the regions of homology will be greater than 10 bases long. The DNA fragment to be introduced may be single stranded, but is preferably double stranded. The DNA fragment may be introduced to the cell as one or more RNA molecules which may be converted to DNA by reverse transcriptase or by other means. Preferably, the DNA fragment to be introduced will be a double stranded linear DNA molecule. In one embodiment of the invention, a closed covalent circular molecule, having the modified DNA fragment is cleaved, to form a linear molecule. A restriction endonuclease capable of cleaving the vector at least a single site outside of the modified DNA fragment is employed to produce either a blunt end or staggered end linear molecule. Preferably, a restriction endonuclease is employed that releases the modified DNA fragment from the vector sequences.

[0146] The invention thus provides a method for introducing the homologous sequences in the vector into the genome of an animal or plant or other organism at a specific chromosomal location. The homologous sequences may differ only slightly from a native gene of the recipient cell (for example, it may contain single or multiple base alterations, insertions or deletions relative to the native gene). Thus, the present invention provides a means for manipulating and modulating gene expression and regulation. After permitting the introduction of the DNA molecule(s), the cells are cultured under conventional conditions, as are known in the art.

[0147] In order to facilitate the recovery of those cells which have undergone homologous recombination, a detectable DNA (gene) is employed. Preferably, the detectable DNA is a selectable or screenable marker gene. For the purposes of the present invention, any gene sequence whose presence in a cell permits one to identify and optionally isolate the cell may be employed as a detectable DNA sequence. In one embodiment, the presence of the detectable DNA in a recipient cell is recognized by hybridization, by detection of radiolabelled nucleotides, or by other assays of detection which do not require the expression of the detectable gene. Preferably, such sequences are detected using PCR (Mullis et al., Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 51:263-273 1986; Erlich et al., EP 50,424; EP 84,796, EP 258,017, EP 237,362; EP 201,184; U.S. Pat. No.4,683,202; U.S. Pat. No.4,582,788; and U.S. Pat. No.4,683,194). PCR achieves the amplification of a specific nucleic acid sequence using at least one, preferably at least two, oligonucleotide primers complementary to regions of the sequence to be amplified. Extension products incorporating the primers then become templates for subsequent replication steps. PCR provides a method for selectively increasing the concentration of a nucleic acid molecule having a particular sequence even when that molecule has not been previously purified and is present only in a single copy in a particular sample. The method can be used to amplify either single or double stranded DNA.

[0148] More preferably, however, the detectable gene sequence will be expressed in the recipient cell, and will result in a selectable phenotype. Examples of such detectable gene sequences include the hprt gene (Littlefield, J. W., Science 145:709-710 1964, a xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (gpt) gene, a hyg gene, or an adenosine phosphoribosyltransferase (aprt) gene (Sambrook et al., In: Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual, 2nd. Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, N.Y. 1989, a tk gene (i.e., thymidine kinase gene) and especially the tk gene of herpes simplex virus (Giphart-Gassler et al., Mutat. Res. 214:223-232 1989), the nptII gene (Thomas et al., Cell 51:503-512 1987; Mansour et al., Nature 336:348-352 1988), or other genes which confer resistance to amino acid or nucleoside analogues, or antibiotics, etc. Examples of such genes include gene sequences which encode enzymes such as dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzyme, adenosine deaminase (ADA), asparagine synthetase (AS), hygromycin B phosphotransferase, or a CAD enzyme (carbamyl phosphate synthetase, aspartate transcarbamylase, and dihydroorotase) (Sambrook et al., 1989).

[0149] Other such genes include other selectable or screenable markers, depending on whether the marker confers a trait which one can ‘elect’ for by chemical means, i.e., through the use of a selective agent (e.g., a herbicide, antibiotic, or the like), or whether it is simply a trait that one can identify through observation or testing, i.e., by ‘screening’ (e.g., the R-locus trait). Of course, many examples of suitable marker genes are known to the art and can be employed in the practice of the invention.

[0150] Included within the terms selectable or screenable marker genes are also genes which encode a “secretable marker” whose secretion can be detected as a means of identifying or selecting for transformed cells. Examples include markers which encode a secretable antigen that can be identified by antibody interaction, or even secretable enzymes which can be detected by their catalytic activity. Secretable proteins fall into a number of classes, including small, diffusible proteins detectable, e.g., by ELISA; small active enzymes detectable in extracellular solution (e.g., α-amylase, β-lactamase, phosphinothricin acetyltransferase); and proteins that are inserted or trapped in the cell wall (e.g., proteins that include a leader sequence such as that found in the expression unit of extensin or tobacco PR-S).

[0151] With regard to selectable secretable markers, the use of a gene that encodes a polypeptide that becomes sequestered in the cell wall, and which polypeptide includes a unique epitope is considered to be particularly advantageous. Such a secreted antigen marker would ideally employ an epitope sequence that would provide low background in plant tissue, a promoter-leader sequence that would impart efficient expression and targeting across the plasma membrane, and would produce protein that is bound in the cell wall and yet accessible to antibodies. A normally secreted wall protein modified to include a unique epitope would satisfy all such requirements.

[0152] Elements of the present disclosure are exemplified in detail through the use of particular marker genes. However in light of this disclosure, numerous other possible selectable and/or screenable marker genes will be apparent to those of skill in the art in addition to the one set forth herein below. Therefore, it will be understood that the following discussion is exemplary rather than exhaustive. In light of the techniques disclosed herein and the general recombinant techniques which are known in the art, the present invention renders possible the introduction of any gene, including marker genes, into a recipient cell to generate a transformed plant cell, e.g., a monocot cell.

[0153] Possible selectable markers for use in connection with the present invention include, but are not limited to, a neo gene, which codes for kanamycin resistance and can be selected for using kanamycin, G418, a gene encoding resistance to bleomycin, and the like; a bar gene which codes for bialaphos resistance; a gene which encodes an altered EPSP synthase protein thus conferring glyphosate resistance; a nitrilase gene such as bxn from Klebsiella ozaenae which confers resistance to bromoxynil; a mutant acetolactate synthase gene (ALS) which confers resistance to imidazolinone, sulfonylurea or other ALS-inhibiting chemicals (European Patent Application 154,204, 1985); a methotrexate-resistant DHFR gene; a dalapon dehalogenase gene that confers resistance to the herbicide dalapon; or a mutated anthranilate synthase gene that confers resistance to 5-methyl tryptophan. Where a mutant EPSP synthase gene is employed, additional benefit may be realized through the incorporation of a suitable chloroplast transit peptide, CTP (European Patent Application 0 218 571, 1987).

[0154] An illustrative embodiment of a selectable marker gene capable of being used in systems to select plant transformants is the genes that encode the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyltransferase, such as the bar gene from Streptomyces hygroscopicus or the pat gene from Streptomyces viridochromogenes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,318). The enzyme phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) inactivates the active ingredient in the herbicide bialaphos, phosphinothricin (PPT). PPT inhibits glutamine synthetase, causing rapid accumulation of ammonia and cell death. The success in using this selective system in conjunction with monocots.

[0155] Screenable markers that may be employed include, but are not limited to, a β-glucuronidase or uidA gene (GUS) which encodes an enzyme for which various chromogenic substrates are known; an R-locus gene, which encodes a product that regulates the production of anthocyanin pigments (red color) in plant tissues; a beta-lactamase gene, which encodes an enzyme for which various chromogenic substrates are known (e.g., PADAC, a chromogenic cephalosporin); a xy/E gene which encodes a catechol dioxygenase that can convert chromogenic catechols; an alpha-amylase gene; a tyrosinase gene which encodes an enzyme capable of oxidizing tyrosine to DOPA and dopaquinone which in turn condenses to form the easily detectable compound melanin; a beta-galactosidase gene, which encodes an enzyme for which there are chromogenic substrates; a luciferase (lux) gene, which allows for bioluminescence detection; or an aequorin gene, which may be employed in calcium-sensitive bioluminescence detection, or a green fluorescent protein.

[0156] Genes from the maize R gene complex are contemplated to be particularly useful as screenable markers for plants. The R gene complex in maize encodes a protein that acts to regulate the production of anthocyanin pigments in most seed and plant tissue. Maize strains can have one, or as many as four, R alleles which combine to regulate pigmentation in a developmental and tissue specific manner. A gene from the R gene complex was applied to maize transformation, because the expression of this gene in transformed cells does not harm the cells. Thus, an R gene introduced into such cells will cause the expression of a red pigment and, if stably incorporated, can be visually scored as a red sector. If a maize line carries dominant alleles for genes encoding the enzymatic intermediates in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway (C2, A1, A2, Bz1 and Bz2), but carries a recessive allele at the R locus, transformation of any cell from that line with R will result in red pigment formation. Exemplary lines include Wisconsin 22 which contains the rg-Stadler allele and TR112, a K55 derivative which is r-g, b, P1. Alternatively any genotype of maize can be utilized if the C1 and R alleles are introduced together.

[0157] A further screenable marker contemplated for use in the present invention is firefly luciferase, encoded by the lux gene. The presence of the lux gene in transformed cells may be detected using, for example, X-ray film, scintillation counting, fluorescent spectrophotometry, low-light video cameras, photon counting cameras or multiwell luminometry. It is also envisioned that this system may be developed for populational screening for bioluminescence, such as on tissue culture plates, or even for whole plant screening.

[0158] The chimeric or transgenic cells or animals of the present invention are prepared by introducing one or more modified DNA fragments into a precursor pluripotent cell, most preferably an ES cell, or equivalent (Robertson, E. J., In: Current Communications in Molecular Biology, Capecchi, M. R. (ed.), Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989), pp. 39-44. The term “precursor” is intended to denote only that the cell is a precursor to the desired (“transfected” or “transformed”) cell. The transfected or transformed cell may be cultured in vitro or in vivo, in a manner known in the art (for ES cells used, to form a chimeric or transgenic animal, see, e.g., Evans et al., Nature 292:154-156, 1981).

[0159] The chimeric or transgenic plants of the invention are produced through the regeneration of a plant cell which has received a DNA molecule through the use of the methods disclosed herein. Any plant parts (e.g., pollen, flowers, seeds, leaves, branches, fruit, and the like), cell or tissue which can be regenerated to form a whole differentiated plant can be used in the methods of the invention. Suitable plants include, but are not limited to, cells from plant such as corn (Zea mays), Brassica sp. (e.g., B. napus, B. rapa, B. juncea), particularly those Brassica species useful as sources of seed oil, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), rice (Oryza sativa), rye (Secale cereale), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum vulgare), millet (e.g., pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtail millet (Setaria italica), finger millet (Eleusine coracana)), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), wheat (Triticum aestivum), soybean (Glycine max), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), potato (Solanum tuberosum), peanuts (Arachis hypogaea), cotton (Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium hirsutum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatus), cassava (Manihot esculenta), coffee (Cofea spp.), coconut (Cocos nucifera), pineapple (Ananas comosus), citrus trees (Citrus spp.), cocoa (Theobroma cacao), tea (Camellia sinensis), banana (Musa spp.), avocado (Persea americana), fig (Ficus casica), guava (Psidium guajava), mango (Mangifera indica), olive (Olea europaea), papaya (Carica papaya), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia), almond (Prunus amygdalus), sugar beets (Beta vulgaris), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), oats, barley, vegetables, ornamentals, and conifers; duckweed (Lemna, see WO 00/07210, which includes members of the family Lemnaceae. There are known four genera and 34 species of duckweed as follows: genus Lemna (L. aequinoctialis, L. disperma, L. ecuadoriensis, L. gibba, L. japonica, L. minor, L. miniscula, L. obscura, L. perpusilla, L. tenera, L. trisuica, L. turionifera, L. valdiviana); genus Spirodela (S. intermedia, S. polyrrhiza, S. punctata); genus Woffia (Wa. angusta, Wa. arrhiza, Wa. australina, Wa. borealis, Wa. brasiliensis, Wa. columbiana, Wa. elongata, Wa. globosa, Wa. microscopica, Wa. neglecta) and genus Wofiella (W1. caudata, W1. denticulata, W1. gladiata, W1. hyalina, W1. lingulata, W1. repunda, W1. rotunda, and W1. neotropica). Any other genera or species of Lemnaceae, if they exist, are also aspects of the present invention. Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, and Lemna miniscula are preferred, with Lemna minor and Lemna miniscula being most preferred. Lemna species can be classified using the taxonomic scheme described by Landolt, Biosystematic Investigation on the Family of Duckweeds: The family of Lemnaceae—A Monograph Study. Geobatanischen Institut ETH, Stiftung Rubel, Zurich, 1986); vegetables including tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum), lettuce (e.g., Lactuca sativa), green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), lima beans (Phaseolus limensis), peas (Lathyrus spp.), and members of the genus Cucumis such as cucumber (C. sativus), cantaloupe (C. cantalupensis), and musk melon (C. melo). Ornamentals include azalea (Rhododendron spp.), hydrangea (Macrophylla hydrangea), hibiscus (Hibiscus rosasanensis), roses (Rosa spp.), tulips (Tulipa spp.), daffodils (Narcissus spp.), petunias (Petunia hybrida), carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), and chrysanthemum. Conifers that may be employed in practicing the present invention include, for example, pines such as loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), slash pine (Pinus elliotii), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), lodgepole pine (Pin us contorta), and Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii); Western hemlock (Tsuga canadensis); Sitka spruce (Picea glauca); redwood (Sequoia sempervirens); true firs such as silver fir (Abies amabilis) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea); and cedars such as Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and Alaska yellow-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis). Leguminous plants include beans and peas. Beans include guar, locust bean, fenugreek, soybean, garden beans, cowpea, mungbean, lima bean, fava bean, lentils, chickpea, etc. Legumes include, but are not limited to, Arachis, e.g., peanuts, Vicia, e.g., crown vetch, hairy vetch, adzuki bean, mung bean, and chickpea, Lupinus, e.g., lupine, trifolium, Phaseolus, e.g., common bean and lima bean, Pisum, e.g., field bean, Melilotus, e.g., clover, Medicago, e.g., alfalfa, Lotus, e.g., trefoil, lens, e.g., lentil, and false indigo, Acacia, aneth, artichoke, arugula, blackberry, canola, cilantro, clementines, escarole, eucalyptus, fennel, grapefruit, honey dew, jicama, kiwifiuit, lemon, lime, mushroom, nut, okra, orange, parsley, persimmon, plantain, pomegranate, poplar, radiata pine, radicchio, Southern pine, sweetgum, tangerine, triticale, vine, yams, apple, pear, quince, cherry, apricot, melon, hemp, buckwheat, grape, raspberry, chenopodium, blueberry, nectarine, peach, plum, strawberry, watermelon, eggplant, pepper, caluliflower, Brassica, e.g., broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, onion, carrot, leek, beet, broad bean, celery, radish, pumpkin, endive, gourd, garlic, snapbean, spinach, squash, turnip, asparagus, and zucchini and ornamental plants include impatiens, Begonia, Pelargonium, Viola, Cyclamen, Verbena, Vinca, Tagetes, Primula, Saint Paulia, Agertum, Amaranthus, Antihirrhinum, Aquilegia, Cineraria, Clover, Cosmo, Cowpea, Dahlia, Datura, Delphinium, Gerbera, Gladiolus, Gloxinia, Hippeastrum, Mesembryanthemum, Salpiglossos, and Zinnia.

[0160] Preferred forage and turf grass for use in the methods of the invention include alfalfa, orchard grass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, creeping bent grass, and redtop.

[0161] Preferably, plants of the present invention are crop plants and in particular cereals (for example, corn, alfalfa, sunflower, rice, Brassica, canola, soybean, barley, soybean, sugarbeet, cotton, safflower, peanut, sorghum, wheat, millet, tobacco, and the like), and even more preferably rice, corn and soybean.

[0162] In a preferred embodiment, the host cells are monocot or dicot cells, including, but are not limited to, wheat, corn (maize), rice, oat, barley, millet, rye, rape and alfalfa, as well as asparagus, tomato, egg plant, apple, pear, quince, cherry, apricot, pepper, melon, lettuce, cauliflower, Brassica, e.g., broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprout, sugar beet, sugar cane, sweetcorn, onion, carrot, leek, cucumber, tobacco, aubergine, beet, broad bean, carrot, celery, chicory, cotton, radish, pumpkin, hemp, buckwheat, orchardgrass, creeping bent top, redtop, ryegrass, tobacco, turfgrass, tall fescue, cow pea, endive, gourd, grape, raspberry, chenopodium, blueberry, pineapple, avocado, mango, banana, groundnut, nectarine, papaya, garlic, pea, peach, peanut, pepper, pineapple, plum, potato, safflower, snap bean, spinach, squashes, strawberry, sunflower, sorghum, sweet potato, turnip, watermelon, legumes such as Arachis, e.g., peanuts, Vicia, e.g., crown vetch, hairy vetch, adzuki bean, mung bean, and chickpea, Lupinus, e.g., lupine, trifolium, Phaseolus, e.g., common bean and lima bean, Pisum, e.g., field bean, Melilotus, e.g., clover, Medicago, e.g., alfalfa, Lotus, e.g., trefoil, lens, e.g., lentil, and false indigo, and the like; and ornamental crops including Impatiens, Begonia, Petunia, Pelargonium, Viola, Cyclamen, Verbena, Vinca, Tagetes, Primula, Saint Paulia, Ageratum, Amaranthus, Anthirrhinum, Aquilegia, Chrysanthemum, Cineraria, Clover, Cosmo, Cowpea, Dahlia, Datura, Delphinium, Gerbera, Gladiolus, Gloxinia, Hippeastrum, Mesembryanthemum, Salpiglossis, Zinnia, and the like. More preferably, the host cells are monocot cells such as maize, rice, wheat, barley, oats, and sorghum, which can be regenerated into a transgenic plant.

[0163] Any plant tissue capable of subsequent clonal propagation, whether by organogenesis or embryogenesis, may be transformed with a vector of the present invention. The term “organogenesis,” as used herein, means a process by which shoots and roots are developed sequentially from meristematic centers; the term “embryogenesis,” as used herein, means a process by which shoots and roots develop together in a concerted fashion (not sequentially), whether from somatic cells or gametes. The particular tissue chosen will vary depending on the clonal propagation systems available for, and best suited to, the particular species being transformed. Exemplary tissue targets include leaf disks, pollen, embryos, cotyledons, hypocotyls, megagametophytes, callus tissue, existing meristematic tissue (e.g., apical meristems, axillary buds, and root meristems), and induced meristem tissue (e.g., cotyledon meristem and hypocotyl meristem).

[0164] The choice of plant tissue source for transformation will depend on the nature of the host plant and the transformation protocol. Useful tissue sources include callus, suspension culture cells, protoplasts, leaf segments, stem segments, tassels, pollen, embryos, hypocotyls, tuber segments, meristematic regions, and the like. The tissue source is selected and transformed so that it retains the ability to regenerate whole, fertile plants following transformation, i.e., contains totipotent cells. Type I or Type II embryonic maize callus and immature embryos are preferred Zea mays tissue sources. Selection of tissue sources for transformation of monocots is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No.6,025,545 and PCT publication WO 95/06128.

[0165] For certain plant species, different antibiotic or herbicide selection markers may be preferred. Selection markers used routinely in transformation include the nptII gene which confers resistance to kanamycin and related antibiotics (Messing & Vierra, Gene, 19:252, 1982); the bar gene which confers resistance to the herbicide phosphinothricin (White et al., Nuc. Acids Res., 18:1062 1990, Spencer et al., Theor. Appl. Genet., 79:625, 1990), the hph gene which confers resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin, and the dhfr gene, which confers resistance to methotrexate.

[0166] Regeneration protocols for transferred plant parts, cells or tissue are known to the art. The mature plants, grown from the transformed plant cells, are selfed to produce an inbred plant. The inbred plant produces seed containing the introduced modified DNA fragment. These seeds can be grown to produce plants that express this desired gene sequence. Plant parts, progeny and variants, and mutants, of the regenerated plants are also included within the scope of this invention. As used herein, variant describes phenotypic changes that are stable and heritable, including heritable variation that is sexually transmitted to progeny of plants.

[0167] In one embodiment, the modified DNA fragment which is to be introduced into recipient cells in accordance with the methods of the present invention will be incorporated into a vector (or a derivative thereof) capable of autonomous replication in a host cell. Preferred prokaryotic vectors include plasmids such as those capable of replication in E. coli such as, for example, pBR322, ColE1, pSCO1, pACYC 184, pi VX. Such plasmids are, for example, disclosed by Maniatis et al. (In: Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1982)). Bacillus plasmids include pC194, pC221, pT127, etc. Such plasmids are disclosed by Gryczan, T. (In: The Molecular Biology of the Bacilli, Academic Press, N.Y. (1982), pp. 307-329). Suitable Streptomyces plasmids include pIJ101 (Kendall et al., J. Bacteriol. 169:4177-4183, 1987), and Streptomyces bacteriophages such as phi C31 (Chater et al., In: Sixth International Symposium on Actinomycetales Biology Akademiai Kaido, Budapest, Hungary, 1986, pp. 45-54). Pseudomonas plasmids are reviewed by John et al. (Rev. Infect. Dis. 8:693-704, 1986), and Izaki (Jpn. J. Bacteriol. 33:729-742, 1978). Examples of suitable yeast vectors include the yeast 2-micron circle, the expression plasmids YEP13, YCP and YRP, etc., or their derivatives. Such plasmids are well known in the art (Botstein et al., Miami Wntr. Symp. 19:265-274, 1982; Broach, J. R., In: The Molecular Biology of the Yeast Saccharomyces: Life Cycle and Inheritance, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., p. 445-470, 1981; Broach, Cell 28:203-204, 1982). Examples of vectors which may be used to replicate the DNA molecules in a mammalian host include animal viruses such as bovine papilloma virus, polyoma virus, adenovirus, or SV40 virus. Suitable plant vectors include binary vectors (e.g., see U.S. Pat. No.4,940,838).

[0168] The transgenic cells that have the modified DNA fragment both and optionally for pathogen can be assayed for the presence of the detectable DNA and optionally for pathogen phenotype that distinguishes the transgenic cell or organism from the wild type cell or organism. Types of phenotypes may include changes in growth pattern and requirements, sensitivity or resistance to infectious agents or chemical substances, changes in the ability to differentiate or the nature of the differentiation, changes in morphology, changes in response to changes in the environment, e.g., physical changes or chemical changes, changes in response to genetic modifications, and the like. For example, the change in cell phenotype may be the change from normal cell growth to uncontrolled cell growth or from a virulent pathogen to a non- or less virulent pathogen.

[0169] Alternatively, the change in cell phenotype may be the change from a normal metabolic state to an abnormal metabolic state. In this case, cells are assayed for their metabolite requirement, such as amino acids, sugars, cofactors, or the like, for growth. Once a group of metabolites has been identified that allows for cell growth, where in the absence of such metabolites the cells do not grow, the metabolites are screened individually to identify which metabolite is assimilable or essential.

[0170] Alternatively, the change in cell phenotype may be a change in the structure of the cell. In such a case, cells might be visually inspected under a light or electron microscope. The change in cell phenotype may also be a change in the differentiation program of a cell. The change in cell phenotype may further be a change in the commitment of a cell to a specific differentiation program.

[0171] After establishing the presence of the detectable gene and preferably a change in phenotype, the chromosomal region flanking the modified DNA or the corresponding vector having the modified DNA may be identified using PCR with the detectable DNA and/or sequence as a primer for unidirectional PCR, or in conjunction with another primer, for bidirectional PCR. The sequence may then be used to probe a cDNA or genomic library for the locus, so that the region may be isolated and sequenced, or to compare it with sequences in a database, so that related, e.g., contiguous, sequences can be identified. Various techniques may be used for identification of the gene at the locus and the polypeptide expressed by the gene. If desired, the encoded polypeptide may be expressed and optionally isolated, for further characterization.

[0172] The method includes the inactivation of both gene copies to determine a change in cell phenotype, or a loss of function, associated with the inactivation of specific alleles of the gene. However, it is not necessary that both alleles of a diploid organism be inactivated to result in a detectable phenotype. Therefore, the invention includes heterozygotes and homozygous for the insertion of modified DNA fragments.

[0173] In a preferred embodiment, the polypeptides, including those having substantially similar activities to SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 or SEQ ID NO:13, are encoded by nucleotide sequences derived from fungi, e.g., Cochliobolus, preferably from pathogenic fungi, desirably identical or substantially similar to the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, or SEQ ID NO:14, or the complement thereof. In yet another embodiment, the polypeptides, including those having substantially similar activities to the SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 or SEQ ID NO:13, have amino acid sequences identical or substantially similar to the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, or SEQ ID NO:13.

[0174] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention describes a method for identifying agents having the ability to inhibit or reduce the activity of any one or more of SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, or SEQ ID NO:13 in fungi. Preferably, a transgenic (“knockout”) fungus and/or fungal cell, is obtained which preferably is stably transformed, which comprises a deletion in any of SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, or SEQ ID NO:14. Thus, in one embodiment, the gene product encoded by the nucleotide sequence is not expressed, or has reduced or aberrant expression. In another embodiment, the transgenic fungus or cell comprises the corresponding non-deleted sequences linked to a promoter to yield a gene product which is overexpressed. An agent is then contacted with the transgenic fungus and/or cell, and the growth development, virulence or pathogenicity of the transgenic fungus and/or cell is determined relative to the growth, development, or pathogenicity, of the corresponding transgenic fungus and/or cell to which the agent was not applied; or to the corresponding non-transgenic fungus and/or cell.

[0175] The invention preferably also provides a method for suppressing the growth of a fungus comprising the step of applying to the fungus an agent identified by the methods of the invention. Normal growth is defined as a growth rate substantially similar to that observed in wild type fungus, preferably greater than at least 50% the growth rate observed in wild type fungus. Normal growth and development may also be defined, when used in relation to filamentous fungi, as normal filament development (including normal septation, normal nuclear migration and distribution), normal sporulation, and normal production of any infection structures (e.g. appressoria). Conversely, suppressed or inhibited growth as used herein is defined as less than 50%, preferably less than 10% or less the growth rate observed in wild type or no growth is macroscopically detected at all or abnormal filament development.

[0176] As shown in the examples herein, genes that are essential for normal fungal growth and development or for pathogenicity in Cochliobolus can be identified using gene disruption. Having established the essentiality of certain genes in fungi and having identified the genes encoding these essential activities, the inventors thereby provide an important and sought after tool for new fungicide development.

[0177] The present invention discloses the genomic nucleotide sequence of the identified Cochliobolus genes as well as the putative amino acid sequence of the encoded polypeptide. The nucleotide sequence corresponding to the genomic DNA coding region is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12 and SEQ ID NO:14, and the amino acid sequence encoding the polypeptides is set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, and SEQ ID NO:15. The present invention also encompasses an isolated amino acid sequence derived from a fungus, wherein said amino acid sequence is identical or substantially similar to the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, and SEQ ID NO:14, preferably wherein said amino acid sequence is substantially similar to SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 , and SEQ ID NO:15. For example, using BLASTX (2.0.7) programs with the default settings, notable sequence similarities can be identified.

[0178] For recombinant production of the polypeptides of the invention in a host organism, a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that is substantially similar to SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, and SEQ ID NO:13, is inserted into an expression cassette designed for the chosen host and introduced into the host where it is recombinantly produced. For example, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, or SEQ ID NO:14, or nucleotide sequence substantially similar to SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, or SEQ ID NO:14, can be used for the recombinant production of a polypeptide of the invention. The choice of specific regulatory sequences such as promoter, signal sequence, 5′ and 3′ untranslated sequences, and enhancer appropriate for the chosen host is within the level of skill of the routine in the art. The resultant molecule, containing the individual elements operably linked in proper reading frame, may be inserted into a vector capable of being transformed into the host cell. Suitable expression vectors and methods for recombinant production of proteins are well known for host organisms such as E. coli, yeast, mammalian, and insect cells (see, e.g., Luckow and Summers, Bio/Technology, 6:47, 1988), and baculovirus expression vectors, e.g., those derived from the genome of Autographica californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV).

[0179] In a preferred embodiment, the nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of the invention is derived from an eukaryote, such as a mammal, a fly, a fungus or a yeast, but is preferably derived from a fungus. In a further preferred embodiment, the nucleotide sequence is identical or substantially similar to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, or SEQ ID NO:14, or encodes a polypeptide whose amino acid sequence is identical or substantially similar to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, or SEQ ID NO:13. The nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, or SEQ ID NO:14 encodes a Cochliobolus polypeptide whose amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, or SEQ ID NO:13. Recombinantly produced polypeptide is isolated and purified using a variety of standard techniques. The actual techniques that may be used will vary depending upon the host organism used, whether the polypeptide is designed for secretion, and other such factors familiar to the skilled artisan (see, e.g. chapter 6 of Ausubel et al., Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, 3^(rd) ed., Wiley & Sons, New York, 1994).

[0180] Recombinantly produced polypeptides are useful for a variety of purposes. For example, they can be used in in vitro assays in a screen with known fungicidal chemicals, whose target has not been identified, to determine if they inhibit the polypeptides. Such in vitro assays may also be used as more general screens to identify agents that inhibit the polypeptides and that are therefore novel fungicide candidates. Alternatively, recombinantly produced polypeptides are used to elucidate the complex structure of these molecules and to further characterize their association with known inhibitors in order to rationally design new inhibitory fungicides. Nucleotide sequences substantially similar to SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, or SEQ ID NO:14, and polypeptides substantially similar to SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, or SEQ ID NO:13, from any source, including microbial sources, can be used in the assays exemplified herein. Desirably such nucleotide sequences and polypeptides are derived from pathogenic fungi, e.g., Cochliobolus.

[0181] Once a polypeptide has been identified as a potential fungicide target, the next step is to develop an assay that allows screening large number of agents to determine which ones interact with the polypeptide. Although it is straightforward to develop assays for polypeptides of known function, developing assays with polypeptides of unknown function is more difficult. This difficulty can be overcome by using technologies that can detect interactions between a polypeptide and an agent without knowing the biological function of the polypeptide. A short description of three methods is presented, including fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization, and biacore technologies.

[0182] Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) theory was developed in 1972 but it is only in recent years that the technology to perform FCS became available (Madge et al. Phys. Rev. Lett., 29:705, 1972; Maiti et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA, 94:11753, 1997). FCS measures the average diffusion rate of a fluorescent molecule within a small sample volume. The sample size can be as low as 10³ fluorescent molecules and the sample volume as low as the cytoplasm of a single bacterium. The diffusion rate is a function of the mass of the molecule and decreases as the mass increases. FCS can therefore be applied to protein-ligand interaction analysis by measuring the change in mass and therefore in diffusion rate of a molecule upon binding. In a typical experiment, the target to be analyzed is expressed as a recombinant polypeptide with a sequence tag, such as a poly-histidine sequence, inserted at the N or C-terminus. The expression takes place in either E. coli, yeast or insect cells. The polypeptide is purified by chromatography. For example, the poly-histidine tag can be used to bind the expressed protein to a metal chelate column such as Ni2+ chelated on iminodiacetic acid agarose. The polypeptide is then labeled with a fluorescent tag such as carboxytetramethylrhodamine or BODIPY7 (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.). The polypeptide is then exposed in solution to the potential ligand, and its diffusion rate is determined by FCS using instrumentation available from Carl Zeiss, Inc. (Thomwood, N.Y.). Ligand binding is determined by changes in the diffusion rate of the polypeptide.

[0183] Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization (SELDI) was invented by Hutchens and Yip during the late 1980's (Hutchens and Yip, Rapid Comm. Mass Spect., 7:576, 1993). When coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF), SELDI provides a means to rapidly analyze molecules retained on a chip. It can be applied to ligand polypeptide interaction analysis by covalently binding the target protein on the chip and analyze by MS the small molecules that bind to this polypeptide (Worrall et al., Anal Biochem., 70:750, 1998). In a typical experiment, the target to be analyzed is expressed as described for FCS. The purified polypeptide is then used in the assay without further preparation. It is bound to the SELDI chip either by utilizing the poly-histidine tag or by other interaction such as ion exchange or hydrophobic interaction. The chip thus prepared is then exposed to the potential ligand via, for example, a delivery system capable of pipetting the ligands in a sequential manner (autosampler). The chip is then submitted to washes of increasing stringency, for example a series of washes with buffer solutions containing an increasing ionic strength. After each wash, the bound material is analyzed by submitting the chip to SELDI-TOF. Ligands that specifically bind the target will be identified by the stringency of the wash needed to elute them.

[0184] Biacore relies on changes in the refractive index at the surface layer upon binding of a ligand to a protein immobilized on the layer. In this system, a collection of small ligands is injected sequentially in a 2-5 μl cell with the immobilized protein. Binding is detected by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) by recording laser light refracting from the surface. In general, the refractive index change for a given change of mass concentration at the surface layer, is practically the same for all polypeptides and peptides, allowing a single method to be applicable for any protein (Liedberg et al., Sensors Actuators, 4:299 1983; Malmquist, Nature, 361:187, 1993). In a typical experiment, the target to be analyzed is expressed as described for FCS. The purified protein is then used in the assay without further preparation. It is bound to the Biacore chip either by utilizing the polyhistidine tag or by other interaction such as ion exchange or hydrophobic interaction. The chip thus prepared is then exposed to the potential ligand via the delivery system incorporated in the instruments sold by Biacore (Uppsala, Sweden) to pipette the ligands in a sequential manner (autosampler). The SPR signal on the chip is recorded and changes in the refractive index indicate an interaction between the immobilized target and the ligand. Analysis of the signal kinetics on rate and off rate allows the discrimination between non-specific and specific interaction.

[0185] In one embodiment, a suspected fungicide, for example identified by in vitro screening, is applied to fungi at various concentrations. After application of the suspected fungicide, its effect on the fungus, for example inhibition or suppression of growth and development, or virulence is recorded.

[0186] Fungicide resistant polypeptides are also obtained using methods involving in vitro recombination, also called DNA shuffling. By DNA shuffling, mutations, preferably random mutations, are introduced into nucleotide sequences encoding the polypeptides of the invention. DNA shuffling also leads to the recombination and rearrangement of sequences within a coding sequence or to recombination and exchange of sequences between two or more different of genes. These methods allow for the production of millions of mutated coding sequences. The mutated genes, or shuffled genes, are screened for desirable properties, e.g. improved tolerance to fungicides and for mutations that provide broad spectrum tolerance to the different classes of inhibitor chemistry. Such screens are well within the abilities of one skilled in the art.

[0187] In a preferred embodiment, a mutagenized gene is formed from at least one template gene, wherein the template gene has been cleaved into double-stranded random fragments of a desired size, and comprising the steps of adding to the resultant population of double-stranded random fragments one or more single or double-stranded oligonucleotides, wherein said oligonucleotides comprise an area of identity and an area of heterology to the double-stranded random fragments; denaturing the resultant mixture of double-stranded random fragments and oligonucleotides into single-stranded fragments; incubating the resultant population of single-stranded fragments with a polymerase under conditions which result in the annealing of said single-stranded fragments at said areas of identity to form pairs of annealed fragments, said areas of identity being sufficient for one member of a pair to prime replication of the other, thereby forming a mutagenized double-stranded polynucleotide; and repeating the second and third steps for at least two further cycles, wherein the resultant mixture in the second step of a further cycle includes the mutagenized double-stranded polynucleotide from the third step of the previous cycle, and the further cycle forms a further mutagenized double-stranded polynucleotide, wherein the mutagenized polynucleotide is a mutated gene encoding a product that has altered activity relative to the product encoded by the template gene. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of a single species of double-stranded random fragment in the population of double-stranded random fragments is less than 1% by weight of the total DNA. In a further preferred embodiment, the template double-stranded polynucleotide comprises at least about 100 species of polynucleotides. In another preferred embodiment, the size of the double-stranded random fragments is from about 5 bp to 5 kb. In a further preferred embodiment, the fourth step of the method comprises repeating the second and the third steps for at least 10 cycles. Such method is described e.g. in Stemmer et al., Nature, 370:389, 1994, in U.S. Pat. No.5,605,793, U.S. Pat. No.5,811,238, and Crameri et al. Nature, 391:288, 1998, as well as in WO 97/20078, and these references are incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment, for DNAs encoding polypeptides having domains, e.g., peptide synthetases, the resulting shuffled DNAs may encode a gene product that has altered co-factor requirements, altered substrate specificity and/or produces a different product.

[0188] In another preferred embodiment, any combination of two or more different genes are mutagenized in vitro by a staggered extension process (StEP), as described e.g. in Zhao et al., Nature Biotech., 16:258, 1998. The two or more genes are used as templates for PCR amplification with the extension cycles of the PCR reaction preferably carried out at a lower temperature than the optimal polymerization temperature of the polymerase. For example, when a thermostable polymerase with an optimal temperature of approximately 72° C. is used, the temperature for the extension reaction is desirably below 72° C., more desirably below 65° C., preferably below 60° C., more preferably the temperature for the extension reaction is 55° C. Additionally, the duration of the extension reaction of the PCR cycles is desirably shorter than usually carried out in the art, more desirably it is less than 30 seconds, preferably it is less than 15 seconds, more preferably the duration of the extension reaction is 5 seconds. Only a short DNA fragment is polymerized in each extension reaction, allowing template switch of the extension products between the starting DNA molecules after each cycle of denaturation and annealing, thereby generating diversity among the extension products. The optimal number of cycles in the PCR reaction depends on the length of the genes to be mutagenized but desirably over 40 cycles, more desirably over 60 cycles, preferably over 80 cycles are used. Optimal extension conditions and the optimal number of PCR cycles for every combination of genes are determined as described in using procedures well-known in the art. The other parameters for the PCR reaction are essentially the same as commonly used in the art. The primers for the amplification reaction are preferably designed to anneal to DNA sequences located outside of the genes, e.g. to DNA sequences of a vector comprising the genes, whereby the different genes used in the PCR reaction are preferably comprised in separate vectors. The primers desirably anneal to sequences located less than 500 bp away from sequences, preferably less than 200 bp away from the sequences, more preferably less than 120 bp away from the sequences. Preferably, the sequences are surrounded by restriction sites, which are included in the DNA sequence amplified during the PCR reaction, thereby facilitating the cloning of the amplified products into a suitable vector.

[0189] In another preferred embodiment, fragments of genes having cohesive ends are produced as described in WO 98/05765. The cohesive ends are produced by ligating a first oligonucleotide corresponding to a part of a gene to a second oligonucleotide not present in the gene or corresponding to a part of the gene not adjoining to the part of the gene corresponding to the first oligonucleotide, wherein the second oligonucleotide contains at least one ribonucleotide. A double-stranded DNA is produced using the first oligonucleotide as template and the second oligonucleotide as primer. The ribonucleotide is cleaved and removed. The nucleotide(s) located 5′ to the ribonucleotide is also removed, resulting in double-stranded fragments having cohesive ends. Such fragments are randomly reassembled by ligation to obtain novel combinations of gene sequences.

[0190] Any gene or any combination of genes, or orthologs thereof, can be used for in vitro recombination in the context of the present invention, for example, a gene derived from a fungus, such as, e.g., Cochliobolus, e.g. a gene set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12 or SEQ ID NO:14. Whole genes or portions thereof are used in the context of the present invention. The library of mutated genes obtained by the methods described above are cloned into appropriate expression vectors and the resulting vectors are transformed into an appropriate host, for example a fungal cell, an algae like Chlamydomonas, a yeast or a bacteria. Host cells transformed with the vectors comprising the library of mutated genes are cultured on medium that contains inhibitory concentrations of the inhibitor and those colonies that grow in the presence of the inhibitor are selected. Colonies that grow in the presence of normally inhibitory concentrations of inhibitor are picked and purified by repeated restreaking. Their plasmids arc purified and the DNA sequences of cDNA inserts from plasmids that pass this test are then determined.

[0191] An assay for identifying a modified gene that is tolerant to an inhibitor may be performed in the same manner as the assay to identify inhibitors of the activity with the following modifications: First, a mutant polypeptide is substituted in one of the reaction mixtures for the wild-type polypeptide of the inhibitor assay. Second, an inhibitor of wild type enzyme is present in both reaction mixtures. Third, mutated activity (activity in the presence of inhibitor and mutated enzyme) and unmutated activity (activity in the presence of inhibitor and wild-type enzyme) are compared to determine whether a significant increase in enzymatic activity is observed in the mutated activity when compared to the unmutated activity. Mutated activity is any measure of activity of the mutated enzyme while in the presence of a suitable substrate and the inhibitor. Unmutated activity is any measure of activity of the wild-type enzyme while in the presence of a suitable substrate and the inhibitor.

[0192] In a further embodiment according to the invention, a DNA sequence of the invention may also be used for distinguishing among different species of plant pathogenic fungi and for distinguishing fungal pathogens from other pathogens such as bacteria (Weising et al., in, DNA Fingerprinting in Plants and Fungi, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 1995,p. 157.

[0193] A gene can be incorporated in fungal or bacterial cells using conventional recombinant DNA technology. Generally, this involves inserting a DNA molecule comprising a gene into an expression system to which the DNA molecule is heterologous (i.e., not normally present) using standard cloning procedures known in the art. The vector contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted protein-coding sequences in a fungal cell containing the vector. A large number of vector systems known in the art can be used, such as plasmids (van den Hondel and Punt, in, Applied Molecular Genetics in Fungi, Peberdy et al., eds., Cambridge Univ. Press, 1990, p. 1. The components of the expression system may also be modified to increase expression. For example, truncated sequences, nucleotide substitutions, nucleotide optimization or other modifications may be employed. Expression systems known in the art can be used to transform fungal cells under suitable conditions (Lemke and Peng, in The Mycota, Vol 2, Kuck, ed., Springer-Verlang, Berlin, 1997, p. 109). A DNA molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence of the invention is preferably stably transformed and integrated into the genome of the fungal host cells.

[0194] Gene sequences intended for expression in transgenic fungi are first assembled in expression cassettes behind a suitable promoter expressible in fungi (Lang-Hinrichs, in, The Mycota, Vol II, Kuck, ed., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1997, p. 141; Jacobs and Stahl, in The Mycota, Vol II, Kuck, ed., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1997, p. 155). The expression cassettes may also comprise any further sequences required or selected for the expression of the heterologous DNA sequence. Such sequences include, but are not restricted to, transcription terminators, extraneous sequences to enhance expression such as introns, and sequences intended for the targeting of the gene product to specific organelles and cell compartments. These expression cassettes can then be easily transferred to the fungal transformation vectors as described (Lemke and Peng, 1997).

EXAMPLES

[0195] The following examples are intended to provide illustrations of the application of the present invention. The following examples are not intended to completely define or otherwise limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1

[0196] Knowledge of the fungal genes essential for life, and those controlling molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity, would suggest both fungicide targets and strategies by which plants resistant to disease might be developed. Toward this end, a genome-wide approach was used to identify such genes in Cochliobolus heterostrophus, a pathogen of maize (FIG. 1).

Methods Generation of 10 kb genomic DNA fragments

[0197] Genomic DNA was isolated from C. heterostrophus wild type strain (C4 using the procedures described in Garber et al. (Anal. Biochem., 135: 416, 1983). The fungal genomic DNA was randomly sheared to about 10 kb using the Hydroshear machine. Sheared DNA fragments were end-filled using the Single dA Tailing Kit (Novagen). The adaptor: 5′ CTTTAGAGCACA (SEQ ID NO. 2) ******** 3′ GAAATCTC

[0198] was then added to the blunted genomic DNA fragments. DNA fragments of about 10 kb with adaptor were isolated from an 1% agarose gel and purified using QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (QIAGEN).

Construction of vectors pJWU1 construction

[0199] Plasmid pGEM-11 Zf(Promega) was digested with BamHI and ApaI, end-filled with DNA Polymerase I Large Fragment (Klenow, NEB), and then religated to generate plasmid pJWU1.

pJWU3 construction

[0200] Plasmid pJWU1 was digested with XbaI, end-filled with Klenow, and then cut with SalI. This product was isolated from a 1% agarose gel and purified using QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (QIAGEN). Plasmid pOT2A was digested with BglII, blunt ended with Klenow, and then cut with XhoI. The plasmid fragment (1 kb) containing the sacB gene with BstXI sites on each side was isolated and purified. This DNA fragment was ligated into XbaI blunt ended/SalI digested pJWU1 to yield plasmid pJWU3.

Construction of a library with 10 kb genomic DNA inserts

[0201] pJWU3 was digested with BstXI and purified on a 1% agarose gel using QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (QIAGEN). Gel isolated 10 kb genomic DNA fragments with BstXI adaptors were inserted into the purified vector to generate a library of 10 kb inserts.

Construction of a library carrying a fungal selectable marker

[0202] The 10 kb DNA library was transformed into, and amplified in, E. coli strain DH5α Library DNA was isolated and digested with SalI, which does not cut the vector, but is expected to cut the insert DNA more than once. Digested DNA was dephoshorylated with Thermosensitive Alkaline Phosphatase (TsAP, GIBCOBRL). Plasmid pUCATPH (Lu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 91:12649, 1994) containing the E. coli hygromycin B resistance gene hygB with the Aspergillus nidulans TRPC (Cullen et al., Gene, 57:21, 1987) promoter and terminator was digested with SalI. The fragment containing the hygB cassette (2.3 kb) was isolated (gel purification) and purified twice by QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (QIAGEN). The purified hygB cassette fragment was then ligated to the SalI digested library DNA described above to create a second library. E. coli strain DH5α was used as a host for amplification of deletion library DNA.

[0203] Restriction enzyme digestion of miniprep DNA revealed that 95% of the constructs tested carried hygB and the size of fungal DNA replaced by hygB gene varied from 1.5 to 9.4 kb.

Transformation of Cochliobolus heterostrophus protoplasts with the random deletion library DNA

[0204] A total of 50,000 colonies from the deletion library were picked individually and stored in microtiter dishes. The yield of plasmid DNA prepared using the GeneMachines robot is more than adequate for fungal transformation. Prior to transformation, each plasmid was digested with rare-cutting enzymes SfiI and NotI to release the insert carrying hygB plus fungal DNA remaining after hygB replacement. Each resulting linear DNA insert was transformed into C. heterostrophus protoplasts by conventional procedures (see, for example, Turgeon et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 215:270, 1993).

Identification and purification of transformants

[0205] Transformants are usually heterokaryons (mixture of wild type and transformed nuclei). Therefore, the transformed nuclei need to be isolated from wild type nuclei before phenotype of the deletion can be assayed. Formation of the vegetative spores (conidia) resolves nuclei. If 100% of the spores are hyg^(R), then the transformant was a homokaryon with 100% transformed nuclei. If a transformant yields some hyg^(R) and some hyg^(S) spores, it is a heterokaryon and hyg^(R) conidia must be rescued. If 100% of the spores are hyg^(S), the original transformant was a heterokaryon; all hyg^(R) nuclei must be dead. This class of transformants is one in which essential genes have been deleted.

[0206] For each transformation, two putative transformants were selected, assigned a number corresponding to the plasmid used for transformation, and transferred to complete, non-selective medium for conidiation and purification. In addition, a plug of each transformant was transferred to a fresh plate of selective medium (CMN Shyg; Lu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 91:12649, 1994) to verify resistance to hygromycin B. When cultures have conidiated on nonselective medium, single conidia are streaked on CMNShyg so they are separated from each other, then single hyg^(R) conidia, are cut out after germination and transferred to a small CMNShyg plate. Two transformants (A and B) per plasmid transformation are purified by single conidiation and two purified hygR conidia from each stored in glycerol at −80° C.

Determination of pathogenicity of deletion strains by plant tests

[0207] From each transformation, four purified strains were stored (two transformants, two purified conidia from each). Two strains (one from A, one from B) were tested on corn by spraying 1000 conidia/ml (15 mls) on 6 corn plants at the 4 leaf stage (one cotyledon, 2 leaves fully out, 4^(th) leaf just coming out). Plants were held at high humidity overnight, removed to room temperature and third leaves are scored at 3 and 4 days after inoculation. Lesion development was observed, recorded, and compared to wild type.

Results

[0208] Transformants with essential genes deleted or altered virulence phenotypes were identified. For example, most primary transformants were heterokaryons, i.e., they contain both transformed and wild type nuclei. Routinely each transformant is genetically purified by isolating a single conidium, which resolves the heterokaryon, that contains the transformation selectable marker, e.g., E. coli gene (hygR) for resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin. If there are no conidia resistant to hygromycin from a particular transformant, the mutation in that transformant may be lethal, i.e., the primary transformant lives because the wild type nuclei rescue the dead transformed nuclei; a single conidium containing only transformed nuclei cannot grow because the mutation is in an essential gene.

[0209] To screen for virulence, each genetically purified transformant was grown in culture to produce conidia, the infective asexual spores. Conidia were suspended in water containing 0.01% detergent and sprayed on the foliage of 3 week old corn plants. The inoculated plants are incubated in a water saturated atmosphere for 16 hours, to keep the leaf surfaces wet, then held at 24EC with 16 hours light/day. Symptoms appear after 2 days, and were recorded at 3, 4, and 5 days. Mutants were identified by an altered pattern of disease development. To determine the sequences deleted in each, the plasmid used for transformation was used as a template for four sequencing reactions, two from the hygB selectable marker into the Cochliobolus DNA flanks and two from the vector into the Cochliobolus flanks. These data were employed to clone, amplify or otherwise isolate the corresponding non-deleted Cochliobolus genomic DNA (Tables 1-3). TABLE 1 Amount Plasmid Deleted (kb) Strain % hygB Phenotype pJWU4 8.2 D.C4.4A1 67 wt pJWU5 9.4 D.C4.5A2 80 wt pJWU6 2.6 D.C4.6A1 91 wt pJWU7 1.4 D.C4.7A1 87 wt pJWU8 5.6 D.C4.8B2 6 reduced phathogenicity pJWU9 1.4 D.C4.9A1 3 lethal pJWU10 3.9 D.C4.10A2 100 wt pJWU11 9.5 D.C4.11B2 55 reduced pathogenicity pJWU12 8.6 D.C4.12A2 6 lethal pJWU13 1.8 D.C4.13A1 100 wt pJWU15 7.1 D.C4.15A1 100 wt pJWU16 3.5 D.C4.16A1 100 wt pJWU17 7.4 D.C4.17A1 100 wt pJWU18 6.5 D.C4.18A1 97 wt pJWU19 4.4 D.C4.19A1 35 wt pJWU20 8.9 D.C4.20A1 6 conidium germination lethal pJWU21 6.7 D.C4.21B1 8 lethal

[0210] TABLE 2 Plasmids with Random Deletion Query of Database Plasmid Strain Primer 1 Primer 2 pJWU-4 none** contig9515 D.C.4.4 pJWU-5 D.C.4.5 contig6317 contig8299 pJWU-6 D.C.4.6 contig5808 contig6847 pJWU-7 D.C.4.7 none contig7584 pJWU-8 D.C.4.8 contig8709 contig5865 pJWU-9 D.C.4.9 contig9579 contig9579 pJWU-10 D.C.4.10 contig9591 contig9591 pJWU-11 D.C.4.11 none none pJWU-12 D.C.4.12 contig8299 contig8299 pJWU-13 D.C.4.13 contig4731 contig7584 pJWU-15 D.C.4.15 contig8237 none pJWU-16 D.C.4.16 contig9579 contig397 pJWU-17 D.C.4.17 contig4231 contig4231 pJWU-18 D.C.4.18 contig5437 none pJWU-19 D.C.4.19 contig7421 contig7421 pJWU-20 D.C.4.20 none none pJWU-21 D.C.4.21 contig5191 contig6317 pJWU-22 D.C.4.22 none none

[0211] TABLE 3 Approx amount DNA Percent deleted hygR Related to Plasmid (kb) Strain conidia* Phenotype contig pJWU-8 5.8 D.C.4.8.B2 8 reduced co5contig8709, virulence 5865 pJWU-9 1.8 D.C4.9C 3 lethal co5contig9579

[0212] The method of the invention can be employed with DNA and cells from other organisms, including other filamentous fungi, plants, microorganisms, and vertebrates. In particular, the method is useful for deletion analyses in undifferentiated cells such as mammalian stem cells.

[0213] In addition, to allow for deleted transformants to be processed in pools, bar codes may be added to the vector in which the deletion library is prepared. For example, it might be possible to inoculate plants with pools of transformants. Bar codes that cannot be recovered are evidence for genes associated with of virulence.

[0214] The method of the invention is also useful for directed or targeted gene deletions. For example, genes for secondary metabolism (e.g., peptide synthetases) may be required for pathogenicity. A plasmid having a deleted peptide synthetase gene is introduced to the corresponding wild type cell. A homologous recombinant is then tested for its pathogenicity on a susceptible host.

Example 2

[0215] DNA adjacent to the marker gene was sequenced using primers that annealed to the 5′ and 3′ ends of the marker gene. In addition, Cochliobolus DNA adjacent to vector sequences in the plasmid employed for transformation was sequenced using primers that annealed to the vector sequences 5′ and 3′ to the inserted Cochliobolus DNA. The sequence data obtained from these sequencing reactions was compared to contigs from a Cochliobolus sequence database and open reading frames in the corresponding contig were determined.

[0216] For example, one mutant, designated D.C4.8B2, displayed low virulence when tested on plants. The Cochliobolus DNA in the plasmid used to prepare the mutant, pJWU8, was sequenced and those sequences corresponded to DNA in co6contig8709 and co6contig5865. Contig 8709-5865 (SEQ ID NO.3) was found to contain open reading frames corresponding to the deleted sequence. This analysis also showed that the plasmid had a 5.8 Kb deletion in genomic DNA sequences. Four open reading frames (designated ORF-1 through ORF-4) were identified. ORF-1 (SEQ ID NO.7, SEQ ID NO:8) encodes a 647 amino acid polypeptide having a molecular weight of approximately 71,463 daltons, ORF-2 (SEQ ID NO.9, SEQ ID NO.10) encodes a 211 amino acid polypeptide having a molecular weight of about 23,104 daltons, ORF-3 (SEQ ID NO.11, SEQ ID NO.12) encodes a 754 amino acid polypeptide having a molecular weight of approximately 84,075 daltons, and ORF-4 (SEQ ID NO.13, SEQ ID NO.14) encodes a 339 amino acid polypeptide having a molecular weight of about 35,487 daltons. To determine the function of the gene product encoded by each ORF, BLAST searches were conducted. The gene product encoded by ORF-1 is structurally related to the aryl-alcohol oxidase precursor from Pleurotus enyngii and to the versicolorin B synthase from Aspergillus parasiticus (Silva et al., J. Biol. Chem., 271:13600, 1996; McGuire et al., Biochemistry, 35:11470, 1996; Watanabe et al., Chem. Biol., 3:463, 1996; Silva et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272:804, 1997). The gene product of ORF-2 is structurally related to the NTP pyrophosphohydrolase from Streptomyces coelicolor, and the gene product of ORF-3 is structurally related to cytochrome P450 from rat and other organisms. The function for the gene product of ORF-4 is unknown. BLAST searches also provided potential orthologs of the gene products.

[0217] Another mutant, D.C4.9, displayed a lethal phenotype, indicting the deletion of an essential gene. A similar analysis to the for D.C4.8B2, demonstrated that the sequences in D.C4.9 were related to those in co6ocontig9092 and that the corresponding plasmid had a 1.8 kb deletion in genomic Cochliobolus DNA. A single ORF (SEQ ID NO.5, SEQ ID NO.6) was found in contig 9092 (SEQ ID NO.1). The open reading frame encodes a 2698 amino acid polypeptide having a molecular weight of approximately 305,910 daltons. The polypeptide is highly related to the YHR099W protein, the TRRAP-like protein from yeast, and the TRRAP protein from human (see WO 98/50550). In addition, a 2 kb region upstream of each gene contains the promoter region for each of the 5 genes (SEQ ID NOs.15-19).

Conclusion

[0218] In light of the detailed description of the invention and the examples presented above, it can be appreciated that the several aspects of the invention are achieved.

[0219] It is to be understood that the present invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example in order to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. Particular formulations and processes of the present invention are not limited to the descriptions of the specific embodiments presented, but rather the descriptions and examples should be viewed in terms of the claims that follow and their equivalents. While some of the examples and descriptions above include some conclusions about the way the invention may function, the inventors do not intend to be bound by those conclusions and functions, but put them forth only as possible explanations.

[0220] It is to be further understood that the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the invention, and that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing examples and detailed description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

0 SEQUENCE LISTING <160> NUMBER OF SEQ ID NOS: 19 <210> SEQ ID NO 1 <211> LENGTH: 14955 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 1 ttaggaattt gccgtatata cgatgaagcg tcgtcttcaa aaagtcgcgt tctcgggggt 60 cctcggaatc gaaaagctca agtagctggg aagattagct gctagactgg tcattgtaaa 120 agatcaagta catacgttga gcacaaaact gtggtctatg tatgctttgg caatgtttgt 180 gttgaagtcc tggctctcaa tgaagcgcag gaagaattcg tagacgactt gaatgtgcgg 240 ccacgcaacc tccaacacag gctcgtcttc ttcggggtca aaagcctcgc cctgggggtt 300 catgggcggt ggaatgggcc ggaacaaatt cttggcaaac atctccacga cgcgaggata 360 catcttctct gttatcacct ggcgattgtt ggcaacgtag tcgagcagct cgtgcagggc 420 caggcgcttg atctctttgg acttcatatc gccgctggcg tcgttgaaat cgaagatgat 480 gttgcattgg tcgatcttct gcatgaacag ttcctcccgc ttgtttggag gtacctcatg 540 gaatccaggt agcttctcca gttcacgttg acgctgatcg gaaatgtcaa agcgtgacga 600 atgctgcctc tttggagtcc ttataccctc gatattgtcc ttgggggtcg cttgaagacg 660 gtcgaatatg cccgacttct gtcccgcctt tggaggcgca aggtcgccag gcatggtctc 720 ggcagcgcca ggagggggaa cgtgctgcaa cagtacttag tctacgcagg ccttctacat 780 aagtatgatg agcaagatta cttacaggag cgctcgggct gatgacgacg ctcggcgcta 840 ggggctgccc aagcctagaa ggcgtgcctg gacctgcagc accagcattg ccaggaccca 900 tcaggccctg tccagcaaat gactgctgtc cgcctgctag agagcccgac gaaggctgct 960 ggttctgttg tagcgacccg aggtgggctg cggcgccatc agtagcgggc tggctcttgc 1020 ttcgcgcgtc ggtgagctgc gtctgtgatg aggaaggagt ggcctgggcg gagcctgagg 1080 gagaattcga ggcaccgagc gacggcgaag cagtgcccga gtttgagtcc ttcttcttcg 1140 acgactttcc atccttgctt cgagaaagct gttcagacta gacatgttag cctccgcgca 1200 tagagagggg cagggcggtg ggcggtggcc gcagcgcaag ggtccaggga ggaaacggag 1260 acttacgacc ctttgccgga aacccttcat gattgtgcag gagcgctcag ggccaggtca 1320 agcgctgcgg aggtgtctgc ggagacgggc gtccgaaatt gaggcgggcc tctgggcgtg 1380 tatcgagggg ggtcgcaatc caagagcgcc aatggggtgc cagaagagga gcgcaggcag 1440 gggaaatgac gactaggcag gcgtgcaagt caggtcgaca tggaggacga ggggacgcgt 1500 gagatggtgg atggaggcta gtgtgtagcc gtcttgggat gcagcacggg gagtcggtgg 1560 agggcagagc tcgcgagagg ggggagggaa cagaaggcag ctgaggggag ccccaacaac 1620 ggcgtggtga cgtagaggcg aaccggcaga gagagcgaag cgtgtaactg aagagctgga 1680 gatgggagac tgagcaggtc gtcaactgac aactcagggc tgctgccaga cagacggcgt 1740 cgagtgattc gcgctagccg tcccgtagcg aggccgtgcg tttgggatct cgagagcccc 1800 gccgcggccg tcacgacatc atatacccgc aaagcacatg tacatgcaca cggccatgcg 1860 gccacgggcg ccttgagaga cgcgggcgag gggggacaca catagacgac aaataggctt 1920 tggcggcgtt gcaaggctgc acgtcacctg accacccgcg cccacagcga gccgtagcca 1980 catctccggc accatagtat acagtaccta gagggacgct gcgaacaggt cctcgcatgc 2040 ccatggtcgt gtgtgtgcgc cctacttgat agtgcttccg ccgtgctcgc gcagactctg 2100 caaacacaac cacacgagag actgcgtgta tactctgtac cgcgtgaaca aaaaaatccg 2160 ttgcagtgcg ccatgagcga cgaacaaccc acgcacactg caaacggcga aagccagcat 2220 gcatcgtggc ttcctattcc gtcgcgcgcc atctcggttg tcgagcatcc agccatcatc 2280 aagaacgtgg aaaagggcat tgcctcgttg ggcgggcccg tcaaactgag caaggtcggc 2340 aacaagtctt tgcacaactc cttaccacac ccgcttgcta acacgagacc catgggcctg 2400 cgatcaaaac tggaaacgac cgttactggt gagggcgatg atgaactcaa aatactaatc 2460 tttgtctctc ttcggcccga cgaccccttc accaagcgtt tgctatccac cccgtggcgc 2520 accaacaacc tgctcctaaa agtcacagtc cccaagcgaa caggtcgcaa acgaaagcgc 2580 ggcactgcgg ggccctttct cgctgaagaa gacacggccc gtgacagcca tcagacatac 2640 gtcgatgggc caacaatctt ccgaagcatc caagacaatg catccacata caaggttgct 2700 cttgttggtg tggttgacga gactcaccgg ttcaggagta agtgtcaact ccctgatgac 2760 gtctgacatc ttgtgctgac tacttagata tgcctgactt gcagtatgcc gcttctcaca 2820 gcgacataat ggtcggcttg cgtgatcata ttctttccag acgatgtagg attagcccaa 2880 gtagtctcgg gacatcactg acgctttgtt ttctagatga caaagtaaag aactacaaca 2940 tcaacacagc agccggtgca gatattacca agactgtcgg tccatctgca gagtttctac 3000 agatgccaat cgctttcaac taccggtatg gttgcagttc tgctgaccca acgcttactg 3060 actcctggct agtttccagc aaagctccaa cgtcaaatac accgatcagg gtgctgtcaa 3120 tgtgcagaga agtctgtctt acaacgcata caccattgtc aaacccactg acgagcatgt 3180 gccaactgga ccgggaccca acttacccgc agagagggat ctcacgccgt atatgcagtc 3240 gctgattgcc aacatcagag ccctgctcct tgaaagaccc attgtcactc gccagcttct 3300 gtacaacagg cttgggtgga gcaagcgaac caaactccga caagcagcca tatactgtgg 3360 atatttcttc gagagtgggc cctggcgaga agcacttgtg cgctgggggg ttgaccctcg 3420 caaggatcct gaataccgta aatatcaaac ggtatctttt ctctcgtacc tcaaatcggg 3480 tatatcaaaa caccgcgcag ttttcgacca gcacgtcatg aagctagcca agatgtctcc 3540 agaagagctg gagtctgagc atacttttga cggtgttcat gtctcacaaa ctggaaacct 3600 ttttcaattc tgcgatatca ccgaccctct gatttcgaaa attctttcta caaaggacat 3660 caggacgacg tgtgcgccga ccttccaagg atggtatcat gtgggaacat gggctaaagc 3720 gacggtaata ctaaaagata agatgaacac aatcattggt ggtgagaaac cagatgactc 3780 aatctaccag cgtattctca gttggcctga actatgggat gacaaggaaa tggcagctca 3840 atataaagca gagatcgacg accgccagat acaccaagag aagaggagag agcatcaggt 3900 tatgcacaat gtccgttggg ctgcaagaaa cccgcgatac acttttgaga agatggaagc 3960 agaaaatgaa caggaaagag aagcgaatga tgtggaaaat ttggaggatg ttgatgttcc 4020 cgaagacatg acagaagatc ccgtcatggc tgacacggtt ttggatgcag acctcgacgc 4080 agacgacgaa agtgctaacc aggtggcgag ggtgacgatg gcgactatga agataaagaa 4140 gatgcaatgc aagatgacga gccggacgag gacatgtatg ggagctccga tggtgaagac 4200 gacaatgata gccctatcat gtctgttcga gctacgtccg aagggcccgc gccttttgga 4260 ggatactata gggtatagga gatactagca taacgcccat agatatcact gaggaatttt 4320 gagctttgta ttattcacta ttattgagtc attgcaactg tgagttgaaa atgactcttt 4380 cattgacgat ctggctacgt actgcaaacc cccacacaca ggttgggaac acgtaaatta 4440 taaacagcgc gctcaaattc aatggatcac cgtagcatca acaactcgtt gacatttatc 4500 tatttcaagg aaactagtac acttggtaca cagtaaatat atggggggtg tagggactat 4560 gatttcagcc ttgggtatag tagtagtaag agcgacccac ttttccatgc ttggcttggg 4620 tgcaactcgg atcgtctgag ctttcgtttt cataacctca cgcgaaatcg caccaccacc 4680 gacatcaccc ctcgcccacg caacgccggc tcaaccgtcc agtagccccc ctcatcacct 4740 cgaaaagcta gccgccagct aattgaaccg catcatgctc ttcatgcgcg ccgcgtcaaa 4800 ggtcagccgg gtggcagtcc cggcctaccg agcacctact gttgcattga acgctcagcg 4860 caccttctcg cagtcggcta tccgaaagag cgatgcgcac gccgaggaga cattcgagga 4920 gtttaccgcc aggtacgagg aatccatgga ggggctcgga cgattgggag aaatagtggg 4980 accacggaca acggacagcc attgggttcg attaaccgca tctagagctg cagcgctgac 5040 ttttgtgtct tcattgcagg tatgagaagg agttcgagaa ggtcaatgat gtttttgagc 5100 ttcaggtacg tttgttgtga cccagcatat ggcccgcccc ggtatcaccc gagctgcatt 5160 gagccagctg gtgaactgct gtaaacaaga gctatgcgct gacacatcgt agcgaaacct 5220 gaacaactgc ttcgcctacg atctcgttcc ctcccctgca gtcatcactg ctgctctccg 5280 cgctgccagg cgtgtcaatg acttcccctc ggctgtccga gttttcgagg gtacgtttct 5340 cattgtaccc ccgcgcatgc atatctggac ggtttacgta gcggcggggc gtggaacatg 5400 tcacaggatg atgcgaccat tgggtgtgac cagccacgga gttttgatta ctaacatacg 5460 tcacaggtat caagttcaag gcggagaaca agggccaata cgccgagcac cttcaggagc 5520 ttgagccaat acgcgaggag cttggtatgc ccctcaagga gaccctctat cctgaggaga 5580 agtagattgc aggctggtat gctcgctatc cgattatctc attcttgaca tcgaatactt 5640 cggagcgccc aatgtaaatg ccatatttca attttcttta ctagacagaa gaccggaagc 5700 gaacgtggca tgtatcactg tgtgatgtat ttgcagcatg aacggtggtc aacgtatgcc 5760 aaggcgggtt gtggtggtgc agagtgcaga tatttagatg cagcaggtag atgaaaagag 5820 atttgcaagt tcaaattcct ttagttcatt ttcgatgtct tgatatgttg ggaggcatgt 5880 gtgatactac gactatcaca tgcctttgtt ggaacatgca aacatctcca gtcagggttg 5940 cagtcatcaa cacatttgct ggcggacacg ataggctcaa tgccacagac cggggatttg 6000 taaacgccga tggcgctaag cccaactcgc acagatgcag gggcaaatca atccaatcag 6060 cggcaggcag ccacggaact tgccggttca gagtccaggg cattcccacc tctgcgaccg 6120 gtcgtcagtt gagtgctctg cagactcaag acgcgacctc aaccagcacc tgctggacgc 6180 gccttcccac cccaccacca gtcctcgttc tctcataacg attttaatga ccaaccgggc 6240 catctagcct atcccttctt tttcacattt taatattccc cattgcagcc acctgccgct 6300 gttcctatac acaactgcgc cgttaccaga gcaaatgcgc ctgccttctg ccacaccggc 6360 cgcgcaaccc acagagtaaa cacgacactg tacggcgcag cctgagaggt ctccaaacaa 6420 ggggagcagc agctgtgggc tgcaaacatc ctcatcatgg cgtctcacaa ctttgaggcc 6480 atggcctcca aactggacga ccctaactct ggtaacgaga cattttagac ccgacagccg 6540 cgatcgcgtg cgatcgcgca tatcaagaaa cttaaacaga cgctgactgt gacacagatc 6600 tgagggcaaa gggcacccag gccattgaaa tccgggacaa catcgagagc tactgccaag 6660 gaccgcaata cagcgcattc ctgaaccacc tagttcccgt gtttctcaaa atactcgatg 6720 gcaatccagt attcatatcc acatcgcccg aacaggtgag cgcaaaaccc gccgccataa 6780 gacagccttc tgactcagaa acagcggata cgaaactgca tcctcgaaat cctgcaccgc 6840 ctgcccatga acccggccga ggcgatcgaa ccgcatgccg ctaagattgt ggataagctt 6900 atgagtctgg tcaaattgga aaatgaagac aatgcggttt tgtgcatgaa gaccattatg 6960 gatttccagc gccaccagac taaagccctc gcggaccgcg ttcaaccttt cctcgacctg 7020 atccaagaaa tgtttgagac aatggagcaa gccgtgcacg acacattcga tagcagtgcg 7080 cctgggtcaa cctcgtcagg cgtcccctcg accccgaaca atcaccagtt ttcgcaatct 7140 cctcgtccca attcaccagc aaccacgcta agttccagct ccgcgggcga tcttggctcc 7200 gagcaccagc agacgcgcat gctgctcaag ggaatgcagt cgttcaaggt tcttgcagag 7260 tgcccaatca ttgtggtatc actattccag gcctaccgga actgcgtgaa caagaacgta 7320 aaactctttg ttccgctcat caaaaatgtg cttttgctcc aggcgaagcc gcaagagaag 7380 gcgcatgagg aggccaaggc ccagggcaag atttttactg gtgtcagcaa ggagattcgg 7440 aatcgagccg cttttggcga tttcatcaca gctcaggtta agaccatgag cttcctggca 7500 tatctcctcc gagtctacgc aaatcagctg aatgatttcc tgccaacatt accggatatc 7560 gtcgtgcgcc ttctcaagga ctgtccgcgg gaaaagtccg gggcgcgcaa ggagctactg 7620 gtagctattc ggcatatcat caacttcaac tttcgcaaaa tctttctgaa aaagattgac 7680 gagctactgg acgagagaac cttgattgga gacggactta ccgtgtacga aaccatgcgc 7740 ccgcttgcat atagtatgct tgcagatctc attcaccatt tgcgagattc gctttcaaag 7800 gaacagattc gccgcacagt cgaggtgtac acaaagaacc tgcacgacag cttcccgggg 7860 accagttttc agactatgag tgcgaaactg cttctgaaca tggcagagtg catcgcaaaa 7920 ttagagccca aggaagatgc tcggtacttc ttgatcatga ttctcaatgc cattggggac 7980 aaatttgccg ctatgaaccg ccagtaccac aacgctgtca aactctcggc acagtacagc 8040 caaccatcaa ttgaggcgat tgacgaaaat cacatggccg ttcaggacag ccccccagac 8100 tgggatgaga ttgacatctt caacgcgacg cccatcaaga catcgaatcc ccgagaccga 8160 agttctgacc cgattgctga caacaagttc ttttcaagaa cctattgcac gggctcaaaa 8220 atctcttcta ccagctgcga gcgtgcaacc cggccaagat caaagaagag atcgacccag 8280 caaatgcgtc ggccaattgg catgaagtgt cctttggcta caatgccgaa gaggttgagg 8340 ttctcatcaa acttttccgt gaaggtgcca aagtgttccg ctattatggc actgacaagg 8400 cgcctgagac tcaaggaatg tcaccaggag atttcatggg caaccagcat atgatgtcga 8460 gcggcaaaga agagaaggat ctactggaga cgtttgctac agttttccac cacattgacc 8520 cagccacatt ccacgaagtg ttttcatccg agatacccca tttgtacgat atgatgttcg 8580 atcacccggc attgctccac gttccacagt ttcttcttgc ttccgaggcc acatccccca 8640 gtttttcggg catgttgcta cagttcctca tggatcggat tgaagaggtt ggcactgcgg 8700 atgtcaagaa gtcatccatt atgcttcgcc tcttcaagtt gtcctttatg gcagtcacac 8760 tcttttctgc tcaaaacgag caagtcctct tgccgcacgt cagcaagatc atcacaaaat 8820 ctattcagct atcaacgact gccgaggagc ccatgaacta tttcctcctg ctcaggtcgc 8880 tctttaggag tattggcggt ggtaggtttg agcatctata caaggagatt cttccccttc 8940 tagagatgtt gctggatgtt ctcaacaacc ttttattgac ggcgcgcaag cctgcagaaa 9000 gggacttatt cgttgagctt tctcttacgg tacctgcgag attgagtaac cttctaccac 9060 atcttagcta cctgatgaga ccgctggtcg ttgctttgcg agctggatct gatcttgtag 9120 gtcaagggct tcgtactctg gagctttgcg tggataacct caccgcggac tacctggatc 9180 ctatcatggc gccggtaatc gatgaattga tggctgctct atgggagcat cttaagccga 9240 atccttatag ccatttccat gcccatacaa caatgcgcat ccttggtaaa cttggcggtc 9300 gcaaccgtaa attcatcaca gggccaccag aactcaactt caagccgtac tcggacgatc 9360 aatcctctat cgacatacgt ctcattggat caaccaaaga ccgggcattt cctgcggcaa 9420 tcggaattga caccgcaatt gcaaagctct acgaggtccc taagacaccc gcggctaaga 9480 agtctgatac attccacaaa cagcaggccc tccgcctcat cacggcccac acaaagctgc 9540 tggtcggctt cgacagcttg cctgaggact ttgcacagct ggtccgcctg caagccagtg 9600 acttgtgtgc caagaagttc gatgccggtt atgacattct tactgcatcg gagcgtgaga 9660 agtcaatcac caaaaagagc gtggagcagg agactttgaa gaagttacta aaggcttgta 9720 tctttgctgt gtctatacct gagttgaagt ctgacgctga ggctctggtg aataacttgg 9780 cgaagcattt cacgctccta gaacttggaa cccagttcgc aacgctcaaa cacaagacga 9840 agccgtttga tgtccattcg ggtgagggac ccgtcgtgat cgaaaccgat gttatttcgg 9900 aagctatcgg cgaatcccta gcttcagagc atgctgctgt gcgcgacgct gcggaacaag 9960 tcatcataac catgcgcgat gctacaaagg ccatttttgg aaacgacggc tctctcgaca 10020 agtttgtttt cttcactgag ctttccagca ccttctgcca caactgccat gcggatgact 10080 ggttcatgaa gtctggcgga actcgtggta ttgagatcat gatcaagcag ctagggcttc 10140 ctcagacctg gctggtgcct cgccacttcg agcttgttcg cgctttgaac tttgtcatga 10200 aggacatgcc catcgatctg gactcgaaaa cgcgcattca gctgagggtc ttattcaaga 10260 tctcatccgg cgatgccaca agaagatcaa gaaagaagac tttgacaagg gcaacaacat 10320 tacgctaagg ctttgccagc aactcgtggg tgatctgtca catatgaaca aaaatgtgcg 10380 ggacgcgaca cagaaggctt tccaagtgct ctctgatgtc actgaactga gcgtgagcga 10440 cctcatcaca cccgtcaaag ataggctcat tctgcccatt tggacaaagc cactacgagc 10500 gttgcccttc agcattcaga ttgcctacat cgacgccatc accttttgtc tgaagcttaa 10560 gaacaacatc ctcgagttca atgagcaatt gacgaggttg cttatggagt ccctcgcgct 10620 agcagacgcc gaagacgaac accttgcaag caaacccttt gagcaaagga acgccgacca 10680 cattatcaat ctgcgggtag cctgtattcg actgctctcg actgcgcaga gttttcctga 10740 gttcagcact accccaccaa accagacgtt cctccgcatc atcgctgtct tcttcaagtg 10800 tctctattca aagtcacctg aggtcatcga ggcagccaac attggacttt cgggcgtcat 10860 ctcagcgacg aacaagctac ccaaagatgt gcttcaaagc ggacttcggc ccattttggt 10920 gaacctccag gacccacgaa agctttctgt cgaaaacctt gatggtcttg cccgtttgct 10980 gaagctgctc acaaactact tcaaggtgga gattggaaca cgtcttcttg accatctcaa 11040 gagcatcgcc gatcaaaaca gtcttcagaa gatctcattc accatgattg agcagaactc 11100 caagatgaag attgtgactg gcatcttcaa catcttccat ctgttgccac cagcagctgc 11160 tacattcttg aagcagatca tcgaaaaggt cattgagttg gagagtgcgc tcagaaggac 11220 gcattacagt ccattcagag aacctttgat caagtacttg tgcatgtatc cgaaagaagc 11280 ctgggaccat tttgccccca atctgaaaga tcatacccaa ggacgcttct ttgcccagct 11340 gcttcaagac ccggcgagcg aggccctccg caagcaggtc acagaagatg ttccaggttt 11400 tttgaatgcc atcaacccgg agggtactga taaggagaag tgtcaagctc agctcaatgg 11460 tattcacatc gcctatgctt tatctcaatg cgaagagact agcaagtggc ttgtttcagc 11520 cacagaacta cgcaaaggac tttttgaagc ggctcgatcg ttggaaaaga agctgagggc 11580 aaacaccctc gacgcggaac tgcgcttggc aactgaacag gctggcgacc agatcatgat 11640 catctttaca acgtacctca agcatgagcc aagcagtctg gatttcttct ttgaacttgt 11700 cgacgctgtc acatccgagg agttcaaggc ttctccacgc ttgtttgact ttatctacga 11760 acaaatcatt tccagcgact ctgtggatta ctggaagaca atcgtgaaca agtgcatcga 11820 cctgtacaca tcacgcaatt cgtcacaaaa gacgaagact ttcatcttcc ggcacattgt 11880 caaccccatc tttgccatgg atgtaaagcg caactgggaa gccttgtttg accagaaagc 11940 caagggtacc aagttcatgg acaaagccat gaccgaaacc atacatagcc ggctttggaa 12000 gccacaatcg acacttgagc tttcagaaga cactgcgcag cttggtgtgg atcattcacg 12060 catggagctt ctccaactta ccaccctgct cctgaaacac taccctggca tgatccaaga 12120 agcccgtaag gatgtcatca agttcgcttg gaactacatt aagcttgagg atatcatcaa 12180 caagtacgct gcttacgtgc tcatcgcctt cttcattgcc gctttcgaca cacctgtcaa 12240 gattgctgtg caagtctatc aagccctgct caaagcacat cagaatgagg tcgttcactt 12300 gtgatgcaag cgcttgaact gatggctcct gtcttgaaga agcggatgcc agtattgcct 12360 gggtcagatt ctaagatgcc tcgctggatt caattccctc gcaagattct ctcagaggag 12420 agttctaatc tacagcagtt gatgagcatc ttcaatttct tggtccgaca cccagatctc 12480 ttctacgaag gaagagagca tctgtcgccc atcatcatta cagcactatc caaaattgcg 12540 caacctccga atccctcgac tgatgcaaag aagcttgcat tgaatttgat ccgcctgatc 12600 aggacttggg aggaacgtac agcaagtgag agtgggggct catcggatcg acagtcagag 12660 tcaccgcagg ctgttaagag gcgtgctgat ggatcggccg tggttccaag ttcagcaccg 12720 aagggctttg ttgcaggtgc tccaatccgg atgatgttga tcaagtatct tatccagttc 12780 attgcgtacc tgccagagcg cttccccgtt gcttcgccga aacccaagga tgccaatgcc 12840 gccactccca acaccgcgca acctgctgag atctgcagga aggctgtgca gcttctgcat 12900 gacttgcttt caccacgact atggaacgat ctggatcttg atcttatgct taccaagaag 12960 atcgaggaga ttcttctcac tgagatgaag caggaagaca aggctgaggt attcaatact 13020 cgtatgatca acacgctcca gattgtgaag gtcatcgtca acgttaagcc tgatgactgg 13080 gtcttgcagc gcattccaca gtttcagaag atcctcgaca agcccattcg atccgagaac 13140 cccgatgtcc aagccagcct tcacgcaacg gacgaatctg aggatggtgc tatgaaactg 13200 aagcctatcc tcaagcgcat tctagaggta atgcctgaac ccgttactga tgacgaagga 13260 aacattgaag agtcgccttc taccgagttc gtcaacttcc tcggtaccat cgctactgaa 13320 gcactctcca atagctctta tgtcagcgca atcaacatcc tctggacctt gtgccagaaa 13380 cgacccgagg agattgatca acatatcccg caagtcatga aggcattcca aggcaaaatg 13440 gccaaggatc atctcgctgg aaacagcggg gttcctggac aacccgtgcc acctgctatg 13500 cgccctgaag gggccaatcc tcccacggat cctcgcgaga ttgagattca aacagacttg 13560 gtgctcaaga ctgtcgacat cttggctgct cgcatgaacg aactcggtga aaaccgaagg 13620 ccatatctta gtgtccttgc ttcattggtc gagcgatcgc aaaccaactc ggtctgtatg 13680 aaggtactgg atcttgtcga agaatggatc ttccgctcca ctgagcccgt gccgactctt 13740 aaggagaaga ctgcagtact cagcaagatg ctgctgttcg aacatcgggc tgatacctcg 13800 ctgttgactc gcttcttgga cctcgtcatt cgcatctacg aggaccccaa gattacaagg 13860 agcgagctga ctgtacgcat ggagcacgcc ttcttgatcg gcacccgtgc acaagacgtc 13920 gagatgcgta acagatacat ggccatcttc gacaagagct tgagccgtac tgcggccagt 13980 cgcctcagct acgtcctggc ttctcaaaac tgggacaccc tttctgacag ctattggctg 14040 agccaggtca ttcatttgat gtttggctcg gtcgagatga acactccagc acaacttcat 14100 tcagaagact tccgcctcat gcaacccagt acgctgtttg gaacgtatgc tcgagactcc 14160 aggattggag atgtcatggt cgatgatgag ctggagaacc ttgtcatcag ccatcgccgc 14220 ttctgccacc agcttgctga tgtcaaggtc aaggacattt tcgaaccgct cggacatttg 14280 cagcacactg acagtaactt ggcacacgat atttgggtgg ctttcttccc actagctgga 14340 ctgcacttac aaaagacgac cagagcgacc ttgaaaaggg catggcagct ttgctcacga 14400 aagactatca ctcgcgccaa ctcgataaac gacccaactg tgttgcaacc atgctcgatg 14460 ctatcgtgca ttcccgccca cgggttaagt tcccgcctca catcatgaag tatctggccc 14520 agacatacaa tgcctggtac actgccgcag tgtatatgga agaatccgcc atttctcccg 14580 tcgtcgatgt cgaaaaactg cgtgagagca acctggatgc tctgttggag atttatagcg 14640 gtctacaaga agatgatcta ttctacggga catggcgtcg gcgttgccaa ttcattgaaa 14700 gcaacgctgc tttatcgtac gagcagtgtg gcatttggga caaggcccag caaatgtacg 14760 aggctgcaca aatcaaagcc cgcacatctg ttcttccctt cagcactggc gagtatatgc 14820 tttgggaaga tcactgggtt atttgcgcac agaagttgca acagtgggag attctgagtg 14880 actttgccaa gcccgagaac ttcaacgatc tctacctgga gtcaacctgg cgtctttaga 14940 gcacagtggc gagta 14955 210> SEQ ID NO 2 <211> LENGT: 12 <212> TYPE DNA <213> ORGNISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: adaptor <400> SEQUENCE: 2 ctttagagca ca <210> SEQ ID NO 3 <211> LENGTH: 8667 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)...(8667) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A,T,C or G <400> SEQUENCE: 3 cttttggtct gttggggctg gggggggtac tttggtgggg tgggtctggc gggggtgggg 60 ggtggtctgg gtgttggtcg tggggtgcgc gtggggtgga gggggggtgt gtgcggtggg 120 tggtgtgtgg ggtggttgtg cgggggcggt cgtgcgttgt ttctggtgtg gtgggtggtc 180 cttcgcccga ttcctgcagt ccgtcgctct gttggcgggg cggggtcgct gcttcgggat 240 ttgtcgcggt cctcggtctg cggtgtgcgc cgtctgtgct cccggccgcg tcaaggcctt 300 gccgctttct ttcaagaggg gagagcacta gtggaaaatg agggtcttcc ttgaagcgaa 360 ggtcctcgag caagcgcgag caaagcggac agccctcgcc cgcggccaga gtcagagcct 420 ccattgtcgc atggtgcggg atgctgtttt tgttcttacc cctgactgtc ttaacgtggc 480 tgagatcggg ttctagtttt tggaggatgt ccccaaaggg gaagttttgg cagacagtac 540 agagggccat gtgttacaag caacaaggaa tctctctttc acaagagacg aacaggctag 600 aggcccaggg acgtcgatgt cagaacgtaa tgatcattgc ggggttcgga gtcacgtgaa 660 gtgcgacccc tccaaggctt gccattcagg atatcagtgc atgaagcgat ggtagtacaa 720 caagaaatgg tagtgcagga agagatggta ataatattta cttagttaga ccaaaagtaa 780 gctttcctca ctagcgcgta gaaccttgcc ctatctctaa gtaccggctc cggatccacc 840 ggggaaatta accagacatg tattcatgga aaagacgcag gatcctggat gattcggggc 900 aacaccgaat acgtttgtta tgctgccaag ctgaagtccc acatttgccc agaacaacga 960 taatcacctt tgcacaagcg agtaagaggc gttcagctga agaatagtac ttacagccag 1020 gcatccacgc aatttagatg cgcaactttt gcatgtccct ggactgcgga accatgcaac 1080 taggcgcaga cacccaagaa aaaagtcaat gggatctcgt acgcaaatcc tctgtcaacg 1140 tcgtgtcgtc tatgcatcgg gtaaatacga cgaagaggat ctaggcttag atgcccctgt 1200 gcaactaaat cgttttcgga tcaacaagct agaactcatt gaacatgcat gtcttcggcc 1260 tcattgacgc ggacatgtcg tccaacctat acatgtggag gataactgga cgcctaacgg 1320 aggctattat aatacccttg ctccgcccac ccgcaccctg agtgctctgc tctggactgc 1380 ctttattcca cgtctcacgg gaagatgaag ttcctaggat tggcattggc tgtgtacggg 1440 ctggttgagc agactgatgc agccacagtc aagcgtgcag agagtgcgtc tggaaattcc 1500 aactcctacg attttgtaag tctcccattg agctgtcaaa ctgagcttgc aaacatcggt 1560 gtcctaacaa acaggctaga tcattgtagg tggcggcact gcaggtctcg ccgttgcatc 1620 acgcataagc agcggcctcc cggacatcaa ggtattggtc atagaagcag ggcccgatgg 1680 ccgtcaagac ccgggaatct tcattccagg aagaaaaggt tcgacgctcg gtgggaaata 1740 cgactggaac tcaccacgat accacagcaa aatgccaaca atcgcgtctt tacgcagaat 1800 cgtggaaaag tgcttggtgg aagttcggcg ctcaacctca tgacatggga ccgcacttcg 1860 gagtatgagt tagatgcttg ggagaaactt ggcaacgttg gatggaactg gaagaatttg 1920 tacgcggcca tgctaaaggt cgagacgttt ttgccatctc ctgaatatgg ctccgatggc 1980 gttggcaaga ctggtcctat tcgaactctt atcaacagaa tcattcctcg tcagcaaggc 2040 acctggatcc caaccatgaa caatctgggt ctggctccta atcgagaatc ccttaatggc 2100 catcccattg gtgtagcgac ccaaccgagt aacatccggc caaattatac tcgttcttac 2160 gcgccagagt atctccaact cgctggacag aaccttgaat taaagctgga tacccgagtc 2220 gcaaaagtca actttaaagg caaaactgcc accggagtta ccttggagga tggtactatc 2280 atcagcgcgc ggcgagaagt gattttgtca gctgggtcct tccaaacgcc tggtcttctc 2340 gagcactcag gtattggcga ctcggccctc ctagagaaac ttggaattca agtagtcaag 2400 cacctacctt ctgttggtga aaaccttcag gaccacatcc gcatccagct ggccttccaa 2460 ctcaaaccag aatacacttc attcgacgtt ctcagaaacg ccacacgcgc ggctgccgag 2520 ttagccctgt acaacgctgg agagcgctcg ctctacgact acactgggag cggatacgcc 2580 tacttccctt ggaaactgat ttctaatgcg acggcctcaa aactgcaagc cctagtcgac 2640 aacgacacaa ccctaacttc ggccaccgac aagctgaaga aaagctactc ctccccatct 2700 ctcaacaaca aagtccccca actcgaagtc atcttctcag acggctacac tggccgcaag 2760 ggctaccccg cagccaactc ctcacaattc ggcattggca ctttctccct catcggcgca 2820 gtacagcacc ccctgagcaa aggcaacatc cacatcacct cgcgaaacat cagtgacaaa 2880 ccgctcatca atccaaacta tctctcacac ccctacgacc tccatgccat caccagtctc 2940 gcaaagttca tgcgcaaaat cgcttcctct gccccaatga gcgaagtatg gactcaggaa 3000 tacgaacctg gtagtgccgt acagacagat gctgattggg agagttttgc aagggaaaat 3060 acgctgagta tttatcaccc tgtcggtact gctgcgctgc ttccggagaa ggatggtggt 3120 gtagttgatg cgaagctgag ggttcatggc acacagggtc taaggattgt agatgcgagt 3180 gtaattcctt tattgcccag tacgcatatt cagacgctgg tgtacgggat tgctgaacga 3240 gcggcagaga tgattatcgc tgagtacaag tactagttat atagcgttca gtttttttcc 3300 tggatggcct gtttaatcaa gaaattttcg ttgcactcga atgtttacat tttcactaca 3360 gaaaacagcg tacgtgatat atagttcaat gcatttctaa cgttttctgg gctttgatac 3420 gtcgagtcgt ctttgtcagc tcttgcattg cataactagg gccgactttg ataccactag 3480 tacatacgta gtagtacgca gccccgccat gcgtggcaag cggcatgttc gtcagtgccg 3540 acaacggcaa gttcctaagg cgccatcagc acggcgtgcg gagaagacgt cgagtcatcg 3600 gcatacttgt ttataaacgc agatagaact tagtaagcac atattggttc agggccgaag 3660 tgaggggggt gagtgttagt ttaagaatga tatatcttcg tccgtctaac catatgctct 3720 aaaagtcaaa ctacgtacaa caaaggcaag aatcacgatt aacattcaaa ccaccaacga 3780 ttagggactg tcacagatac atcgacaaaa tggatttctc aataggaatg gaatggagtg 3840 aaggcgaaga aaagatgcat catctcctgc gtgtgccacc acaggacaac cccacatcaa 3900 cacatctcac ggctcaagca tcggctatgt tccagcgcgc ccctctgctc gcatttggta 3960 ctttggacgc ccaagacaga ccctgggtca cactctgggg gcggatcccc cggatttaca 4020 gagacaatcg gcggaggcgc tgtaggtaca tttacgcttg tagacgggaa gcatgatccc 4080 gtcgtacaag cgctggtagc aggcagcaag ggattcgaaa agccgcgaga aagagaagac 4140 gcaaagcttg ttgcttgact agccatcgat ctcatgacgc ggaaaagagt caagacggct 4200 gaccgccttg tgggctgcat ggtgcgcgag atcgaaggca aagctaagag cggcgatgct 4260 ccagcagaac cccgacatat gatccaagct gtcacgatga tcgagcaaag tgtaggcaac 4320 tgtcctaaat acatcaatca atatgagatt catcctgcac ttgtttcgtc gaaactagtc 4380 gccgaaggtc cctcgttgtc agacgaaggc cgagccctaa tatcagcatc cgacatgttc 4440 ttcctcagca gtagcacctc ggacgacatg gacgtcaacc accgcggcgg ccctccaggc 4500 ttcgtccgca tcatctcccc ttcagaaatt gtatacccag agtactcggg caaccgcctc 4560 taccaatccc tcagagacct gcaactcaac cccaaaatcg gcctcgcatt ccccaactac 4620 gccaccggag acatgctcta tataaccggc cgcacccaga tcctcgccgg caaagacgcc 4680 gcagacattc tcccaggcag caatctcacc gtcaaaatca ctatccaaga ctcacgtttc 4740 gtcagcgccg gcctgccctt ccgcggctac agaaaaacac aaagcccata caacccgcgc 4800 gtccgcccct tggcttccga ggggaacctg aaatccagcc tcataccatc accatcacgt 4860 agtcaaaccg cacatttgac caaaaaaacc ctgctcacac ccagcatcgc ccgcttcacc 4920 ttctccgtcc cagacgatcc cagcttcagc tacacgcccg cccaatggat agcactggac 4980 ttcaaacaag aactcgacac gggatacgag catatgcgcg acgacgatcc gaccagtctg 5040 aatgacgatt tcgtacgcac gtttactatt tcttcgacgc ctccttcgtc gtcgtcgtcg 5100 tcatcttctt ccggtgctgc tgctggcgaa tttgacatta cgatccggaa ggttgggccc 5160 gtgaccaagt ttctgttcca gacgaacgag agggcggggc tgcaagtccc gattttgggg 5220 gttggagggg gagattttgt tgttaagcaa ggtgaccaaa aaggggtcgt ggtgccggtt 5280 gtagctgcgg gagtggggat tacgccttta ttgggacaga tagagcagga ggaacttgtg 5340 cctgagaggt ttcgattgtt tgggcagtga ggagggagga tgttggattt gtgcgggata 5400 cgtttgcgag gtatccgggg cttgcggctt gtacgagagt atttttgacg ggggaggaga 5460 agctggaggg agagacggat tttggagatg cggttgttga gaggagaagg atggggaaga 5520 gtgatttgga ggatgtagag gcggaggtgt ggtatatgtg tgttgggaag gggatgagga 5580 aagaggtgtt ggggtggctg gaggggaaga aggtggtttt tgaagacttt gattattaag 5640 gatatttagt gattagttaa gctttcttga aaatggtaat ctatcaatat tccatcaacg 5700 tgtacagcct tcgttcctta ggccttgcgt tttctaatcc ttactccaac cttgccggtt 5760 ggcttcatgg tgccccaagc cgccttcttg attggtggca ccgtcttgct tgcagcctct 5820 ttgtctacca tttcgatttc aaattcgccc atcagaatag ccagtgtgac gaggccaatg 5880 tggcgtgcaa agtggcgccc gggacacttg tgttcgccac caccatagct cgtccagttg 5940 ccagacagac ctgcatcgct gaaagattcc ttcttgtctc gtcccttgcc gtccacaagg 6000 aagcgctctg cccaaaatac atctagcggg cgttcaagag cattggggcg cgcttgagcc 6060 catgctgcag aaaactgggc gttgaatgtg tttgaaatga agatatcagt gcctttggtg 6120 acagtgtatt tgtcgtcaag gttgaacact ggtgatgtga cttgacgtac cgcaagatta 6180 gagctgtaaa gacgcgttgt ctcagcatgc agtgactgta tcaaagggag tgtggcaagc 6240 tgcatgaagt tgtacattcc cgactctggc gtggcatggg cttcaatttc cgaactaacg 6300 tatgcgtgca tcttggggtc ccgcaggatc tcgaacaagt accagaatgt gatgggcaca 6360 acgagactgg ttgcgccata caaaaggcca agggtttggg atgctcgagc ttgtacatcg 6420 tgaccaggca actcgctgta catcttctct cgctcttgga gtagaccaga gcctgctaca 6480 ggatcccatt ttgtatcggc ttgattgctt ttcctcagtt cttcggattt gatggaatat 6540 tcgcggagtt tgacgagcag ccggtcacgt gcagcgtacg acttgggcat ggcgaagcgg 6600 gggaggccca taaagaactc cggggttgcc tcgataagtt tccagagatc gtcgatgagc 6660 tgtggatatt cgtcgaccat ggaagagccg aggattgaga caagaacggc gcgggtcaca 6720 tggtatgtga tgaagtcgaa gagatccgga acatgtttcc attcagttcc gggagcaacc 6780 tccaaagctt gttgtacact ttgcttcatc aagtcgaaca ttcgtttatc gagcaagctg 6840 aggccggagc cagtggtgtg ctggcggatg tgcgttatct gaatgtaatc cgtgttgact 6900 cctggactat tatagtaatc gacagatttt tgcgggctat ccatcagcgc tctcagaatc 6960 ttgtcatgga tgaaagggtt ggggtcgaaa tgctgcaccg acatgagcac ggtcttgacg 7020 tgctctgggt ctcgcacaaa cagcatcttt tcgccagcac catcgagata gaagggagtc 7080 ccgtcgccat atttgttact ggaggggtgt gagtatcaat tgaggatatt gggtatgcaa 7140 tcagtgtctg atcttgtcac gtgctttgtc gggcgcttga cgagtgcaca ataattgttt 7200 aggaaaacct acaagcatct ggccatatat tgcttgttat ccagtgccat ggacagagca 7260 tgtcgtaggc cgggaatcca atacggaatg gtaggaggcg ctacgttgcg cccctggccg 7320 tacttgatag atctgtagcg gtacgacgag ataactctgg tgcaaacaca gatggccaag 7380 atggtgaaga aagcccgcac aaggagactg ttctgcaagt cagcgagggc gagagagccc 7440 ccgctgtgtg ctgctgtcga attgctgctg tccatggtgt gtagtgtcac aaacagaggc 7500 tgagcgggca aacatgcgag ctgtcgttgg ggttggataa acagccccca agcggataag 7560 cgctaacccg atccggcttg catggaaatg tgcgcctgcg gcacggcaga gatgtcacat 7620 tgcagcacac tgcagcatct tgagccgggc gaggacagca aaaacagggc gaagcagggc 7680 ggccaagggc gtgtagaggt gaagtatgga tgcataagca tgtcgcaggt agtgtgaaac 7740 cccagttggc catggcatac cagcaaatgg cgctatgctg gggggcgggc tggcgtgcat 7800 ggcaaggtgc ggaggtggag actgtttcgc ctagccccaa gggtccagcc aggagctact 7860 ctacacccgg cagctagggc agagctcccc tcgacccatc tgcctccgtt gtctctccac 7920 atcctttgtg aacatcgtct accgttgtcc tgctactcac tgcatcgctt ttgcgcccct 7980 cctctgcaca cgctcattgc cgtgtgcctt tgtttctcgc gtctccatct ggccgccagc 8040 caccagctct tgaaccatgc cgggggttcg taagtacaat ccccattcac cttcagtgtc 8100 tcgctggcgc ctattccacc gtcacctgtg attgcgacca cgtacatctg ctctcacgca 8160 cacgtgtatc tcctacgatt accccattgc cacaccagtc cacgcacccc acctcccctc 8220 caagactcgc catctgacgc attccctgcc ccagcgctcg acgccatgga ccagatgaag 8280 aaggccctca agggcatctt cagaggcaaa aagtccaaga aggatgagtc caagcccgag 8340 gattcccagc ccgctgccgc tcctgagacg gccacaccat ccaattccgc gaccaagcct 8400 accgagacga cgcctgcggc tcccgccccc gctactgcgc ccgaggctgc aaatgcagag 8460 acgtcgactg ttcccgccga actgcctcag cctgcctcgc ccgctgctgc tcctgccgct 8520 gctcctgccg ctgccccagc tgcggccccg gcacaaggcg aaagcaacaa ggacgaagct 8580 gctgcactga ccgaggtcaa gaaagctacg cagagtaggt caacatctca ttcatctact 8640 acnccacacg gagagcacac gcttctc 8667 <210> SEQ ID NO 4 <211> LENGTH <212> TYPE <213> ORGANISM: <400> SEQUENCE: 4 000 <210> SEQ ID NO 5 <211> LENGTH: 2697 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 5 Met Asn Pro Ala Glu Ala Ile Glu Pro His Ala Ala Lys Ile Val Asp 1 5 10 15 Lys Leu Met Ser Leu Val Lys Leu Glu Asn Glu Asp Asn Ala Val Leu 20 25 30 Cys Met Lys Thr Ile Met Asp Phe Gln Arg His Gln Thr Lys Ala Leu 35 40 45 Ala Asp Arg Val Gln Pro Phe Leu Asp Leu Ile Gln Glu Met Phe Glu 50 55 60 Thr Met Glu Gln Ala Val His Asp Thr Phe Asp Ser Ser Ala Pro Gly 65 70 75 80 Ser Thr Ser Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Thr Pro Asn Asn His Gln Phe Ser 85 90 95 Gln Ser Pro Arg Pro Asn Ser Pro Ala Thr Thr Leu Ser Ser Ser Ser 100 105 110 Ala Gly Asp Leu Gly Ser Glu His Gln Gln Thr Arg Met Leu Leu Lys 115 120 125 Gly Met Gln Ser Phe Lys Val Leu Ala Glu Cys Pro Ile Ile Val Val 130 135 140 Ser Leu Phe Gln Ala Tyr Arg Asn Cys Val Asn Lys Asn Val Lys Leu 145 150 155 160 Phe Val Pro Leu Ile Lys Asn Val Leu Leu Leu Gln Ala Lys Pro Gln 165 170 175 Glu Lys Ala His Glu Glu Ala Lys Ala Gln Gly Lys Ile Phe Thr Gly 180 185 190 Val Ser Lys Glu Ile Arg Asn Arg Ala Ala Phe Gly Asp Phe Ile Thr 195 200 205 Ala Gln Val Lys Thr Met Ser Phe Leu Ala Tyr Leu Leu Arg Val Tyr 210 215 220 Ala Asn Gln Leu Asn Asp Phe Leu Pro Thr Leu Pro Asp Ile Val Val 225 230 235 240 Arg Leu Leu Lys Asp Cys Pro Arg Glu Lys Ser Gly Ala Arg Lys Glu 245 250 255 Leu Leu Val Ala Ile Arg His Ile Ile Asn Phe Asn Phe Arg Lys Ile 260 265 270 Phe Leu Lys Lys Ile Asp Glu Leu Leu Asp Glu Arg Thr Leu Ile Gly 275 280 285 Asp Gly Leu Thr Val Tyr Glu Thr Met Arg Pro Leu Ala Tyr Ser Met 290 295 300 Leu Ala Asp Leu Ile His His Leu Arg Asp Ser Leu Ser Lys Glu Gln 305 310 315 320 Ile Arg Arg Thr Val Glu Val Tyr Thr Lys Asn Leu His Asp Ser Phe 325 330 335 Pro Gly Thr Ser Phe Gln Thr Met Ser Ala Lys Leu Leu Leu Asn Met 340 345 350 Ala Glu Cys Ile Ala Lys Leu Glu Pro Lys Glu Asp Ala Arg Tyr Phe 355 360 365 Leu Ile Met Ile Leu Asn Ala Ile Gly Asp Lys Phe Ala Ala Met Asn 370 375 380 Arg Gln Tyr His Asn Ala Val Lys Leu Ser Ala Gln Tyr Ser Gln Pro 385 390 395 400 Ser Ile Glu Ala Ile Asp Glu Asn His Met Ala Val Gln Asp Ser Pro 405 410 415 Pro Asp Trp Asp Glu Ile Asp Ile Phe Asn Ala Thr Pro Ile Lys Thr 420 425 430 Ser Asn Pro Arg Asp Arg Ser Ser Asp Pro Ile Ala Asp Asn Lys Phe 435 440 445 Leu Phe Lys Asn Leu Leu His Gly Leu Lys Asn Leu Phe Tyr Gln Leu 450 455 460 Arg Ala Cys Asn Pro Ala Lys Ile Lys Glu Glu Ile Asp Pro Ala Asn 465 470 475 480 Ala Ser Ala Asn Trp His Glu Val Ser Phe Gly Tyr Asn Ala Glu Glu 485 490 495 Val Glu Val Leu Ile Lys Leu Phe Arg Glu Gly Ala Lys Val Phe Arg 500 505 510 Tyr Tyr Gly Thr Asp Lys Ala Pro Glu Thr Gln Gly Met Ser Pro Gly 515 520 525 Asp Phe Met Gly Asn Gln His Met Met Ser Ser Gly Lys Glu Glu Lys 530 535 540 Asp Leu Leu Glu Thr Phe Ala Thr Val Phe His His Ile Asp Pro Ala 545 550 555 560 Thr Phe His Glu Val Phe Ser Ser Glu Ile Pro His Leu Tyr Asp Met 565 570 575 Met Phe Asp His Pro Ala Leu Leu His Val Pro Gln Phe Leu Leu Ala 580 585 590 Ser Glu Ala Thr Ser Pro Ser Phe Ser Gly Met Leu Leu Gln Phe Leu 595 600 605 Met Asp Arg Ile Glu Glu Val Gly Thr Ala Asp Val Lys Lys Ser Ser 610 615 620 Ile Met Leu Arg Leu Phe Lys Leu Ser Phe Met Ala Val Thr Leu Phe 625 630 635 640 Ser Ala Gln Asn Glu Gln Val Leu Leu Pro His Val Ser Lys Ile Ile 645 650 655 Thr Lys Ser Ile Gln Leu Ser Thr Thr Ala Glu Glu Pro Met Asn Tyr 660 665 670 Phe Leu Leu Leu Arg Ser Leu Phe Arg Ser Ile Gly Gly Gly Arg Phe 675 680 685 Glu His Leu Tyr Lys Glu Ile Leu Pro Leu Leu Glu Met Leu Leu Asp 690 695 700 Val Leu Asn Asn Leu Leu Leu Thr Ala Arg Lys Pro Ala Glu Arg Asp 705 710 715 720 Leu Phe Val Glu Leu Ser Leu Thr Val Pro Ala Arg Leu Ser Asn Leu 725 730 735 Leu Pro His Leu Ser Tyr Leu Met Arg Pro Leu Val Val Ala Leu Arg 740 745 750 Ala Gly Ser Asp Leu Val Gly Gln Gly Leu Arg Thr Leu Glu Leu Cys 755 760 765 Val Asp Asn Leu Thr Ala Asp Tyr Leu Asp Pro Ile Met Ala Pro Val 770 775 780 Ile Asp Glu Leu Met Ala Ala Leu Trp Glu His Leu Lys Pro Asn Pro 785 790 795 800 Tyr Ser His Phe His Ala His Thr Thr Met Arg Ile Leu Gly Lys Leu 805 810 815 Gly Gly Arg Asn Arg Lys Phe Ile Thr Gly Pro Pro Glu Leu Asn Phe 820 825 830 Lys Pro Tyr Ser Asp Asp Gln Ser Ser Ile Asp Ile Arg Leu Ile Gly 835 840 845 Ser Thr Lys Asp Arg Ala Phe Pro Ala Ala Ile Gly Ile Asp Thr Ala 850 855 860 Ile Ala Lys Leu Tyr Glu Val Pro Lys Thr Pro Ala Ala Lys Lys Ser 865 870 875 880 Asp Thr Phe His Lys Gln Gln Ala Leu Arg Leu Ile Thr Ala His Thr 885 890 895 Lys Leu Leu Val Gly Phe Asp Ser Leu Pro Glu Asp Phe Ala Gln Leu 900 905 910 Val Arg Leu Gln Ala Ser Asp Leu Cys Ala Lys Lys Phe Asp Ala Gly 915 920 925 Tyr Asp Ile Leu Thr Ala Ser Glu Arg Glu Lys Ser Ile Thr Lys Lys 930 935 940 Ser Val Glu Gln Glu Thr Leu Lys Lys Leu Leu Lys Ala Cys Ile Phe 945 950 955 960 Ala Val Ser Ile Pro Glu Leu Lys Ser Asp Ala Glu Ala Leu Val Asn 965 970 975 Asn Leu Ala Lys His Phe Thr Leu Leu Glu Leu Gly Thr Gln Phe Ala 980 985 990 Thr Leu Lys His Lys Thr Lys Pro Phe Asp Val His Ser Gly Glu Gly 995 1000 1005 Pro Val Val Ile Glu Thr Asp Val Ile Ser Glu Ala Ile Gly Glu Ser 1010 1015 1020 Leu Ala Ser Glu His Ala Ala Val Arg Asp Ala Ala Glu Gln Val Ile 1025 1030 1035 1040 Ile Thr Met Arg Asp Ala Thr Lys Ala Ile Phe Gly Asn Asp Gly Ser 1045 1050 1055 Leu Asp Lys Phe Val Phe Phe Thr Glu Leu Ser Ser Thr Phe Cys His 1060 1065 1070 Asn Cys His Ala Asp Asp Trp Phe Met Lys Ser Gly Gly Thr Arg Gly 1075 1080 1085 Ile Glu Ile Met Ile Lys Gln Leu Gly Leu Pro Gln Thr Trp Leu Val 1090 1095 1100 Pro Arg His Phe Glu Leu Val Arg Ala Leu Asn Phe Val Met Lys Asp 1105 1110 1115 1120 Met Pro Ile Asp Leu Asp Ser Lys Thr Arg Ile Gln Ala Glu Gly Leu 1125 1130 1135 Ile Gln Asp Leu Ile Arg Arg Cys His Lys Lys Ile Lys Lys Glu Asp 1140 1145 1150 Phe Asp Lys Gly Asn Asn Ile Thr Leu Arg Leu Cys Gln Gln Leu Val 1155 1160 1165 Gly Asp Leu Ser His Met Asn Lys Asn Val Arg Asp Ala Thr Gln Lys 1170 1175 1180 Ala Phe Gln Val Leu Ser Asp Val Thr Glu Leu Ser Val Ser Asp Leu 1185 1190 1195 1200 Ile Thr Pro Val Lys Asp Arg Leu Ile Leu Pro Ile Trp Thr Lys Pro 1205 1210 1215 Leu Arg Ala Leu Pro Phe Ser Ile Gln Ile Ala Tyr Ile Asp Ala Ile 1220 1225 1230 Thr Phe Cys Leu Lys Leu Lys Asn Asn Ile Leu Glu Phe Asn Glu Gln 1235 1240 1245 Leu Thr Arg Leu Leu Met Glu Ser Leu Ala Leu Ala Asp Ala Glu Asp 1250 1255 1260 Glu His Leu Ala Ser Lys Pro Phe Glu Gln Arg Asn Ala Asp His Ile 1265 1270 1275 1280 Ile Asn Leu Arg Val Ala Cys Ile Arg Leu Leu Ser Thr Ala Gln Ser 1285 1290 1295 Phe Pro Glu Phe Ser Thr Thr Pro Pro Asn Gln Thr Phe Leu Arg Ile 1300 1305 1310 Ile Ala Val Phe Phe Lys Cys Leu Tyr Ser Lys Ser Pro Glu Val Ile 1315 1320 1325 Glu Ala Ala Asn Ile Gly Leu Ser Gly Val Ile Ser Ala Thr Asn Lys 1330 1335 1340 Leu Pro Lys Asp Val Leu Gln Ser Gly Leu Arg Pro Ile Leu Val Asn 1345 1350 1355 1360 Leu Gln Asp Pro Arg Lys Leu Ser Val Glu Asn Leu Asp Gly Leu Ala 1365 1370 1375 Arg Leu Leu Lys Leu Leu Thr Asn Tyr Phe Lys Val Glu Ile Gly Thr 1380 1385 1390 Arg Leu Leu Asp His Leu Lys Ser Ile Ala Asp Gln Asn Ser Leu Gln 1395 1400 1405 Lys Ile Ser Phe Thr Met Ile Glu Gln Asn Ser Lys Met Lys Ile Val 1410 1415 1420 Thr Gly Ile Phe Asn Ile Phe His Leu Leu Pro Pro Ala Ala Ala Thr 1425 1430 1435 1440 Phe Leu Lys Gln Ile Ile Glu Lys Val Ile Glu Leu Glu Ser Ala Leu 1445 1450 1455 Arg Arg Thr His Tyr Ser Pro Phe Arg Glu Pro Leu Ile Lys Tyr Leu 1460 1465 1470 Cys Met Tyr Pro Lys Glu Ala Trp Asp His Phe Ala Pro Asn Leu Lys 1475 1480 1485 Asp His Thr Gln Gly Arg Phe Phe Ala Gln Leu Leu Gln Asp Pro Ala 1490 1495 1500 Ser Glu Ala Leu Arg Lys Gln Val Thr Glu Asp Val Pro Gly Phe Leu 1505 1510 1515 1520 Asn Ala Ile Asn Pro Glu Gly Thr Asp Lys Glu Lys Cys Gln Ala Gln 1525 1530 1535 Leu Asn Gly Ile His Ile Ala Tyr Ala Leu Ser Gln Cys Glu Glu Thr 1540 1545 1550 Ser Lys Trp Leu Val Ser Ala Thr Glu Leu Arg Lys Gly Leu Phe Glu 1555 1560 1565 Ala Ala Arg Ser Leu Glu Lys Lys Leu Arg Ala Asn Thr Leu Asp Ala 1570 1575 1580 Glu Leu Arg Leu Ala Thr Glu Gln Ala Gly Asp Gln Ile Met Ile Ile 1585 1590 1595 1600 Phe Thr Thr Tyr Leu Lys His Glu Pro Ser Ser Leu Asp Phe Phe Phe 1605 1610 1615 Glu Leu Val Asp Ala Val Thr Ser Glu Glu Phe Lys Ala Ser Pro Arg 1620 1625 1630 Leu Phe Asp Phe Ile Tyr Glu Gln Ile Ile Ser Ser Asp Ser Val Asp 1635 1640 1645 Tyr Trp Lys Thr Ile Val Asn Lys Cys Ile Asp Leu Tyr Thr Ser Arg 1650 1655 1660 Asn Ser Ser Gln Lys Thr Lys Thr Phe Ile Phe Arg His Ile Val Asn 1665 1670 1675 1680 Pro Ile Phe Ala Met Asp Val Lys Arg Asn Trp Glu Ala Leu Phe Asp 1685 1690 1695 Gln Lys Ala Lys Gly Thr Lys Phe Met Asp Lys Ala Met Thr Glu Thr 1700 1705 1710 Ile His Ser Arg Leu Trp Lys Pro Gln Ser Thr Leu Glu Leu Ser Glu 1715 1720 1725 Asp Thr Ala Gln Leu Gly Val Asp His Ser Arg Met Glu Leu Leu Gln 1730 1735 1740 Leu Thr Thr Leu Leu Leu Lys His Tyr Pro Gly Met Ile Gln Glu Ala 1745 1750 1755 1760 Arg Lys Asp Val Ile Lys Phe Ala Trp Asn Tyr Ile Lys Leu Glu Asp 1765 1770 1775 Ile Ile Asn Lys Tyr Ala Ala Tyr Val Leu Ile Ala Phe Phe Ile Ala 1780 1785 1790 Ala Phe Asp Thr Pro Val Lys Ile Ala Val Gln Val Tyr Gln Ala Leu 1795 1800 1805 Leu Lys Ala His Gln Asn Glu Gly Arg Ser Leu Val Met Gln Ala Leu 1810 1815 1820 Glu Leu Met Ala Pro Val Leu Lys Lys Arg Met Pro Val Leu Pro Gly 1825 1830 1835 1840 Ser Asp Ser Lys Met Pro Arg Trp Ile Gln Phe Pro Arg Lys Ile Leu 1845 1850 1855 Ser Glu Glu Ser Ser Asn Leu Gln Gln Leu Met Ser Ile Phe Asn Phe 1860 1865 1870 Leu Val Arg His Pro Asp Leu Phe Tyr Glu Gly Arg Glu His Leu Ser 1875 1880 1885 Pro Ile Ile Ile Thr Ala Leu Ser Lys Ile Ala Gln Pro Pro Asn Pro 1890 1895 1900 Ser Thr Asp Ala Lys Lys Leu Ala Leu Asn Leu Ile Arg Leu Ile Arg 1905 1910 1915 1920 Thr Trp Glu Glu Arg Thr Ala Ser Glu Ser Gly Gly Ser Ser Asp Arg 1925 1930 1935 Gln Ser Glu Ser Pro Gln Ala Val Lys Arg Arg Ala Asp Gly Ser Ala 1940 1945 1950 Val Val Pro Ser Ser Ala Pro Lys Gly Phe Val Ala Gly Ala Pro Ile 1955 1960 1965 Arg Met Met Leu Ile Lys Tyr Leu Ile Gln Phe Ile Ala Tyr Leu Pro 1970 1975 1980 Glu Arg Phe Pro Val Ala Ser Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Ala Asn Ala Ala 1985 1990 1995 2000 Thr Pro Asn Thr Ala Gln Pro Ala Glu Ile Cys Arg Lys Ala Val Gln 2005 2010 2015 Leu Leu His Asp Leu Leu Ser Pro Arg Leu Trp Asn Asp Leu Asp Leu 2020 2025 2030 Asp Leu Met Leu Thr Lys Lys Ile Glu Glu Ile Leu Leu Thr Glu Met 2035 2040 2045 Gln Glu Asp Lys Ala Glu Val Phe Asn Thr Arg Met Ile Asn Thr Leu 2050 2055 2060 Gln Ile Val Lys Val Ile Val Asn Val Lys Pro Asp Asp Trp Val Leu 2065 2070 2075 2080 Gln Arg Ile Pro Gln Phe Gln Lys Ile Leu Asp Lys Pro Ile Arg Ser 2085 2090 2095 Glu Asn Pro Asp Val Gln Ala Ser Leu His Ala Thr Asp Glu Ser Glu 2100 2105 2110 Asp Gly Ala Met Lys Leu Lys Pro Ile Leu Lys Arg Ile Leu Glu Val 2115 2120 2125 Met Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Asp Asp Glu Gly Asn Ile Glu Glu Ser Pro 2130 2135 2140 Ser Thr Glu Phe Val Asn Phe Leu Gly Thr Ile Ala Thr Glu Ala Leu 2145 2150 2155 2160 Ser Asn Ser Ser Tyr Val Ser Ala Ile Asn Ile Leu Trp Thr Leu Cys 2165 2170 2175 Gln Lys Arg Pro Glu Glu Ile Asp Gln His Ile Pro Gln Val Met Lys 2180 2185 2190 Ala Phe Gln Gly Lys Met Ala Lys Asp His Leu Ala Gly Asn Ser Gly 2195 2200 2205 Val Pro Gly Gln Pro Val Pro Pro Ala Met Arg Pro Glu Gly Ala Asn 2210 2215 2220 Pro Pro Thr Asp Pro Arg Glu Ile Glu Ile Gln Thr Asp Leu Val Leu 2225 2230 2235 2240 Lys Thr Val Asp Ile Leu Ala Ala Arg Met Asn Glu Leu Gly Glu Asn 2245 2250 2255 Arg Arg Pro Tyr Leu Ser Val Leu Ala Ser Leu Val Glu Arg Ser Gln 2260 2265 2270 Thr Asn Ser Val Cys Met Lys Val Leu Asp Leu Val Glu Glu Trp Ile 2275 2280 2285 Phe Arg Ser Thr Glu Pro Val Pro Thr Leu Lys Glu Lys Thr Ala Val 2290 2295 2300 Leu Ser Lys Met Leu Leu Phe Glu His Arg Ala Asp Thr Ser Leu Leu 2305 2310 2315 2320 Thr Arg Phe Leu Asp Leu Val Ile Arg Ile Tyr Glu Asp Pro Lys Ile 2325 2330 2335 Thr Arg Ser Glu Leu Thr Val Arg Met Glu His Ala Phe Leu Ile Gly 2340 2345 2350 Thr Arg Ala Gln Asp Val Glu Met Arg Asn Arg Tyr Met Ala Ile Phe 2355 2360 2365 Asp Lys Ser Leu Ser Arg Thr Ala Ala Ser Arg Leu Ser Tyr Val Leu 2370 2375 2380 Ala Ser Gln Asn Trp Asp Thr Leu Ser Asp Ser Tyr Trp Leu Ser Gln 2385 2390 2395 2400 Val Ile His Leu Met Phe Gly Ser Val Glu Met Asn Thr Pro Ala Gln 2405 2410 2415 Leu His Ser Glu Asp Phe Arg Leu Met Gln Pro Ser Thr Leu Phe Gly 2420 2425 2430 Thr Tyr Ala Arg Asp Ser Arg Ile Gly Asp Val Met Val Asp Asp Glu 2435 2440 2445 Leu Glu Asn Leu Val Ile Ser His Arg Arg Phe Cys His Gln Leu Ala 2450 2455 2460 Asp Val Lys Val Lys Asp Ile Phe Glu Pro Leu Gly His Leu Gln His 2465 2470 2475 2480 Thr Asp Ser Asn Leu Ala His Asp Ile Trp Val Ala Phe Phe Pro Leu 2485 2490 2495 Ala Trp Thr Ala Leu Thr Lys Asp Asp Gln Ser Asp Leu Glu Lys Gly 2500 2505 2510 Met Ala Ala Leu Leu Thr Lys Asp Tyr His Ser Arg Gln Leu Asp Lys 2515 2520 2525 Arg Pro Asn Cys Val Ala Thr Met Leu Asp Ala Ile Val His Ser Arg 2530 2535 2540 Pro Arg Val Lys Phe Pro Pro His Ile Met Lys Tyr Leu Ala Gln Thr 2545 2550 2555 2560 Tyr Asn Ala Trp Tyr Thr Ala Ala Val Tyr Met Glu Glu Ser Ala Ile 2565 2570 2575 Ser Pro Val Val Asp Val Glu Lys Leu Arg Glu Ser Asn Leu Asp Ala 2580 2585 2590 Leu Leu Glu Ile Tyr Ser Gly Leu Gln Glu Asp Asp Leu Phe Tyr Gly 2595 2600 2605 Thr Trp Arg Arg Arg Cys Gln Phe Ile Glu Ser Asn Ala Ala Leu Ser 2610 2615 2620 Tyr Glu Gln Cys Gly Ile Trp Asp Lys Ala Gln Gln Met Tyr Glu Ala 2625 2630 2635 2640 Ala Gln Ile Lys Ala Arg Thr Ser Val Leu Pro Phe Ser Thr Gly Glu 2645 2650 2655 Tyr Met Leu Trp Glu Asp His Trp Val Ile Cys Ala Gln Lys Leu Gln 2660 2665 2670 Gln Trp Glu Ile Leu Ser Asp Phe Ala Lys Pro Glu Asn Phe Asn Asp 2675 2680 2685 Leu Tyr Leu Glu Ser Thr Trp Arg Leu 2690 2695 <210> SEQ ID NO 6 <211> LENGTH: 8091 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 6 atgaacccgg ccgaggcgat cgaaccgcat gccgctaaga ttgtggataa gcttatgagt 60 ctggtcaaat tggaaaatga agacaatgcg gttttgtgca tgaagaccat tatggatttc 120 cagcgccacc agactaaagc cctcgcggac cgcgttcaac ctttcctcga cctgatccaa 180 gaaatgtttg agacaatgga gcaagccgtg cacgacacat tcgatagcag tgcgcctggg 240 tcaacctcgt caggcgtccc ctcgaccccg aacaatcacc agttttcgca atctcctcgt 300 cccaattcac cagcaaccac gctaagttcc agctccgcgg gcgatcttgg ctccgagcac 360 cagcagacgc gcatgctgct caagggaatg cagtcgttca aggttcttgc agagtgccca 420 atcattgtgg tatcactatt ccaggcctac cggaactgcg tgaacaagaa cgtaaaactc 480 tttgttccgc tcatcaaaaa tgtgcttttg ctccaggcga agccgcaaga gaaggcgcat 540 gaggaggcca aggcccaggg caagattttt actggtgtca gcaaggagat tcggaatcga 600 gccgcttttg gcgatttcat cacagctcag gttaagacca tgagcttcct ggcatatctc 660 ctccgagtct acgcaaatca gctgaatgat ttcctgccaa cattaccgga tatcgtcgtg 720 cgccttctca aggactgtcc gcgggaaaag tccggggcgc gcaaggagct actggtagct 780 attcggcata tcatcaactt caactttcgc aaaatctttc tgaaaaagat tgacgagcta 840 ctggacgaga gaaccttgat tggagacgga cttaccgtgt acgaaaccat gcgcccgctt 900 gcatatagta tgcttgcaga tctcattcac catttgcgag attcgctttc aaaggaacag 960 attcgccgca cagtcgaggt gtacacaaag aacctgcacg acagcttccc ggggaccagt 1020 tttcagacta tgagtgcgaa actgcttctg aacatggcag agtgcatcgc aaaattagag 1080 cccaaggaag atgctcggta cttcttgatc atgattctca atgccattgg ggacaaattt 1140 gccgctatga accgccagta ccacaacgct gtcaaactct cggcacagta cagccaacca 1200 tcaattgagg cgattgacga aaatcacatg gccgttcagg acagcccccc agactgggat 1260 gagattgaca tcttcaacgc gacgcccatc aagacatcga atccccgaga ccgaagttct 1320 gacccgattg ctgacaacaa gttcttgttc aagaacctat tgcacgggct caaaaatctc 1380 ttctaccagc tgcgagcgtg caacccggcc aagatcaaag aagagatcga cccagcaaat 1440 gcgtcggcca attggcatga agtgtccttt ggctacaatg ccgaagaggt tgaggttctc 1500 atcaaacttt tccgtgaagg tgccaaagtg ttccgctatt atggcactga caaggcgcct 1560 gagactcaag gaatgtcacc aggagatttc atgggcaacc agcatatgat gtcgagcggc 1620 aaagaagaga aggatctact ggagacgttt gctacagttt tccaccacat tgacccagcc 1680 acattccacg aagtgttttc atccgagata ccccatttgt acgatatgat gttcgatcac 1740 ccggcattgc tccacgttcc acagtttctt cttgcttccg aggccacatc ccccagtttt 1800 tcgggcatgt tgctacagtt cctcatggat cggattgaag aggttggcac tgcggatgtc 1860 aagaagtcat ccattatgct tcgcctcttc aagttgtcct ttatggcagt cacactcttt 1920 tctgctcaaa acgagcaagt cctcttgccg cacgtcagca agatcatcac aaaatctatt 1980 cagctatcaa cgactgccga ggagcccatg aactatttcc tcctgctcag gtcgctcttt 2040 aggagtatgg cggtggtagg tttgagcatc tatacaagga gattcttccc cttctagaga 2100 tgttgctgga tgttctcaac aaccttttat tgacggcgcg caagcctgca gaaagggact 2160 tattcgttga gctttctctt acggtacctg cgagattgag taaccttcta ccacatctta 2220 gctacctgat gagaccgctg gtcgttgctt tgcgagctgg atctgatctt gtaggtcaag 2280 ggcttcgtac tctggagctt tgcgtggata acctcaccgc ggactacctg gatcctatca 2340 tggcgccggt aatcgatgaa ttgatggctg ctctatggga gcatcttaag ccgaatcctt 2400 atagccattt ccatgcccat acaacaatgc gcatccttgg taaacttggc ggtcgcaacc 2460 gtaaattcat cacagggcca ccagaactca acttcaagcc gtactcggac gatcaatcct 2520 ctatcgacat acgtctcatt ggatcaacca aagaccgggc atttcctgcg gcaatcggaa 2580 ttgacaccgc aattgcaaag ctctacgagg tccctaagac acccgcggct aagaagtctg 2640 atacattcca caaacagcag gccctccgcc tcatcacggc ccacacaaag ctgctggtcg 2700 gcttcgacag cttgcctgag gactttgcac agctggtccg cctgcaagcc agtgacttgt 2760 gtgccaagaa gttcgatgcc ggttatgaca ttcttactgc atcggagcgt gagaagtcaa 2820 tcaccaaaaa gagcgtggag caggagactt tgaagaagtt actaaaggct tgtatctttg 2880 ctgtgtctat acctgagttg aagtctgacg ctgaggctct ggtgaataac ttggcgaagc 2940 atttcacgct cctagaactt ggaacccagt tcgcaacgct caaacacaag acgaagccgt 3000 ttgatgtcca ttcgggtgag ggacccgtcg tgatcgaaac cgatgttatt tcggaagcta 3060 tcggcgaatc cctagcttca gagcatgctg ctgtgcgcga cgctgcggaa caagtcatca 3120 taaccatgcg cgatgctaca aaggccattt ttggaaacga cggctctctc gacaagtttg 3180 ttttcttcac tgagctttcc agcaccttct gccacaactg ccatgcggat gactggttca 3240 tgaagtctgg cggaactcgt ggtattgaga tcatgatcaa gcagctaggg cttcctcaga 3300 cctggctggt gcctcgccac ttcgagcttg ttcgcgcttt gaactttgtc atgaaggaca 3360 tgcccatcga tctggactcg aaaacgcgca ttcaagctga gggtcttatt caagatctca 3420 tccggcgatg ccacaagaag atcaagaaag aagactttga caagggcaac aacattacgc 3480 taaggctttg ccagcaactc gtgggtgatc tgtcacatat gaacaaaaat gtgcgggacg 3540 cgacacagaa ggctttccaa gtgctctctg atgtcactga actgagcgtg agcgacctca 3600 tcacacccgt caaagatagg ctcattctgc ccatttggac aaagccacta cgagcgttgc 3660 ccttcagcat tcagattgcc tacatcgacg ccatcacctt ttgtctgaag cttaagaaca 3720 acatcctcga gttcaatgag caattgacga ggttgcttat ggagtccctc gcgctagcag 3780 acgccgaaga cgaacacctt gcaagcaaac cctttgagca aaggaacgcc gaccacatta 3840 tcaatctgcg ggtagcctgt attcgactgc tctcgactgc gcagagtttt cctgagttca 3900 gcactacccc accaaaccag acgttcctcc gcatcatcgc tgtcttcttc aagtgtctct 3960 attcaaagtc acctgaggtc atcgaggcag ccaacattgg actttcgggc gtcatctcag 4020 cgacgaacaa gctacccaaa gatgtgcttc aaagcggact tcggcccatt ttggtgaacc 4080 tccaggaccc acgaaacttt ctgtcgaaaa ccttgatggt cttgcccgtt tgctgaagct 4140 gctcacaaac tacttcaagg tggagattgg aacacgtctt cttgaccatc tcaagagcat 4200 cgccgatcaa aacagtcttc agaagatctc attcaccatg attgagcaga actccaagat 4260 gaagattgtg actggcatct tcaacatctt ccatctgttg ccaccagcag ctgctacatt 4320 cttgaagcag atcatcgaaa aggtcattga gttggagagt gcgctcagaa ggacgcatta 4380 cagtccattc agagaacctt tgatcaagta cttgtgcatg tatccgaaag aagcctggga 4440 ccattttgcc cccaatctga aagatcatac ccaaggacgc ttctttgccc agctgcttca 4500 agacccggcg agcgaggccc tccgcaagca ggtcacagaa gatgttccag gttttttgaa 4560 tgccatcaac ccggagggta ctgataagga gaagtgtcaa gctcagctca atggtattca 4620 catcgcctat gctttatctc aatgcgaaga gactagcaag tggcttgttt cagccacaga 4680 actacgcaaa ggactttttg aagcggctcg atcgttggaa aagaagctga gggcaaacac 4740 cctcgacgcg gaactgcgct tggcaactga acaggctggc gaccagatca tgatcatctt 4800 tacaacgtac ctcaagcatg agccaagcag tctggatttc ttctttgaac ttgtcgacgc 4860 tgtcacatcc gaggagttca aggcttctcc acgcttgttt gactttatct acgaacaaat 4920 catttccagc gactctgtgg attactggaa gacaatcgtg aacaagtgca tcgacctgta 4980 cacatcacgc aattcgtcac aaaagacgaa gactttcatc ttccggcaca ttgtcaaccc 5040 catctttgcc atggatgtaa agcgcaactg ggaagccttg tttgaccaga aagccaaggg 5100 taccaagttc atggacaaag ccatgaccga aaccatacat agccggcttt ggaagccaca 5160 atcgacactt gagctttcag aagacactgc gcagcttggt gtggatcatt cacgcatgga 5220 gcttctccaa cttaccaccc tgctcctgaa acactaccct ggcatgatcc aagaagcccg 5280 taaggatgtc atcaagttcg cttggaacta cattaagctt gaggatatca tcaacaagta 5340 cgctgcttac gtgctcatcg ccttcttcat tgccgctttc gacacacctg tcaagattgc 5400 tgtgcaagtc tatcaagccc tgctcaaagc acatcagaat gaaggtcgtt cacttgtgat 5460 gcaagcgctt gaactgatgg ctcctgtctt gaagaagcgg atgccagtat tgcctgggtc 5520 agattctaag atgcctcgct ggattcaatt ccctcgcaag attctctcag aggagagttc 5580 taatctacag cagttgatga gcatcttcaa tttcttggtc cgacacccag atctcttcta 5640 cgaaggaaga gagcatctgt cgcccatcat cattacagca ctatccaaaa ttgcgcaacc 5700 tccgaatccc tcgactgatg caaagaagct tgcattgaat ttgatccgcc tgatcaggac 5760 ttgggaggaa cgtacagcaa gtgagagtgg gggctcatcg gatcgacagt cagagtcacc 5820 gcaggctgtt aagaggcgtg ctgatggatc ggccgtggtt ccaagttcag caccgaaggg 5880 ctttgttgca ggtgctccaa tccggatgat gttgatcaag tatcttatcc agttcattgc 5940 gtacctgcca gagcgcttcc ccgttgcttc gccgaaaccc aaggatgcca atgccgccac 6000 tcccaacacc gcgcaacctg ctgagatctg caggaaggct gtgcagcttc tgcatgactt 6060 gctttcacca cgactatgga acgatctgga tcttgatctt atgcttacca agaagatcga 6120 ggagattctt ctcactgaga tgaacaggaa gacaaggctg aggtattcaa tactcgtatg 6180 atcaacacgc tccagattgt gaaggtcatc gtcaacgtta agcctgatga ctgggtcttg 6240 cagcgcattc cacagtttca gaagatcctc gacaagccca ttcgatccga gaaccccgat 6300 gtccaagcca gccttcacgc aacggacgaa tctgaggatg gtgctatgaa actgaagcct 6360 atcctcaagc gcattctaga ggtaatgcct gaacccgtta ctgatgacga aggaaacatt 6420 gaagagtcgc cttctaccga gttcgtcaac ttcctcggta ccatcgctac tgaagcactc 6480 tccaatagct cttatgtcag cgcaatcaac atcctctgga ccttgtgcca gaaacgaccc 6540 gaggagattg atcaacatat cccgcaagtc atgaaggcat tccaaggcaa aatggccaag 6600 gatcatctcg ctggaaacag cggggttcct ggacaacccg tgccacctgc tatgcgccct 6660 gaaggggcca atcctcccac ggatcctcgc gagattgaga ttcaaacaga cttggtgctc 6720 aagactgtcg acatcttggc tgctcgcatg aacgaactcg gtgaaaaccg aaggccatat 6780 cttagtgtcc ttgcttcatt ggtcgagcga tcgcaaacca actcggtctg tatgaaggta 6840 ctggatcttg tcgaagaatg gatcttccgc tccactgagc ccgtgccgac tcttaaggag 6900 aagactgcag tactcagcaa gatgctgctg ttcgaacatc gggctgatac ctcgctgttg 6960 actcgcttct tggacctcgt cattcgcatc tacgaggacc ccaagattac aaggagcgag 7020 ctgactgtac gcatggagca cgccttcttg atcggcaccc gtgcacaaga cgtcgagatg 7080 cgtaacagat acatggccat cttcgacaag agcttgagcc gtactgcggc cagtcgcctc 7140 agctacgtcc tggcttctca aaactgggac accctttctg acagctattg gctgagccag 7200 gtcattcatt tgatgtttgg ctcggtcgag atgaacactc cagcacaact tcattcagaa 7260 gacttccgcc tcatgcaacc cagtacgctg tttggaacgt atgctcgaga ctccaggatt 7320 ggagatgtca tggtcgatga tgagctggag aaccttgtca tcagccatcg ccgcttctgc 7380 caccagcttg ctgatgtcaa ggtcaaggac attttcgaac cgctcggaca tttgcagcac 7440 actgacagta acttggcaca cgatatttgg gtggctttct tcccactagc ctggactgca 7500 cttacaaaag acgaccagag cgaccttgaa aagggcatgg cagctttgct cacgaaagac 7560 tatcactcgc gccaactcga taaacgaccc aactgtgttg caaccatgct cgatgctatc 7620 gtgcattccc gcccacgggt taagttcccg cctcacatca tgaagtatct ggcccagaca 7680 tacaatgcct ggtacactgc cgcagtgtat atggaagaat ccgccatttc tcccgtcgtc 7740 gatgtcgaaa aactgcgtga gagcaacctg gatgctctgt tggagattta tagcggtcta 7800 caagaagatg atctattcta cgggacatgg cgtcggcgtt gccaattcat tgaaagcaac 7860 gctgctttat cgtacgagca gtgtggcatt tgggacaagg cccagcaaat gtacgaggct 7920 gcacaaatca aagcccgcac atctgttctt cccttcagca ctggcgagta tatgctttgg 7980 gaagatcact gggttatttg cgcacagaag ttgcaacagt gggagattct gagtgacttt 8040 gccaagcccg agaacttcaa cgatctctac ctggagtcaa cctggcgtct t 8091 <210> SEQ ID NO 7 <211> LENGTH: 623 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 7 Met Lys Phe Leu Gly Leu Ala Leu Ala Val Tyr Gly Leu Val Glu Gln 1 5 10 15 Thr Asp Ala Ala Thr Val Lys Arg Ala Glu Ser Ala Ser Gly Asn Ser 20 25 30 Asn Ser Tyr Asp Phe Val Ser Leu Pro Leu Ser Cys Gln Thr Glu Leu 35 40 45 Ala Asn Ile Gly Val Leu Thr Asn Arg Leu Asp His Cys Arg Trp Arg 50 55 60 His Cys Arg Ser Arg Arg Cys Ile Thr His Lys Gln Arg Pro Pro Gly 65 70 75 80 His Gln Gly Ile Gly His Arg Ser Arg Ala Arg Trp Pro Ser Arg Pro 85 90 95 Gly Asn Leu His Ser Arg Lys Lys Arg Phe Asp Ala Arg Trp Glu Ile 100 105 110 Arg Leu Glu Leu Thr Thr Ile Pro Gln Gln Asn Ala Asn Asn Arg Val 115 120 125 Phe Thr Gln Asn Arg Gly Lys Val Leu Gly Gly Ser Ser Ala Leu Asn 130 135 140 Leu Met Thr Trp Asp Arg Thr Ser Glu Tyr Glu Leu Asp Ala Trp Glu 145 150 155 160 Lys Leu Gly Asn Val Gly Trp Asn Trp Lys Asn Leu Tyr Ala Ala Met 165 170 175 Leu Lys Val Glu Thr Phe Leu Pro Ser Pro Glu Tyr Gly Ser Asp Gly 180 185 190 Val Gly Lys Thr Gly Pro Ile Arg Thr Leu Ile Asn Arg Ile Ile Pro 195 200 205 Arg Gln Gln Gly Thr Trp Ile Pro Thr Met Asn Asn Leu Gly Leu Ala 210 215 220 Pro Asn Arg Glu Ser Leu Asn Gly His Pro Ile Gly Val Ala Thr Gln 225 230 235 240 Pro Ser Asn Ile Arg Pro Asn Tyr Thr Arg Ser Tyr Ala Pro Glu Tyr 245 250 255 Leu Gln Leu Ala Gly Gln Asn Leu Glu Leu Lys Leu Asp Thr Arg Val 260 265 270 Ala Lys Val Asn Phe Lys Gly Lys Thr Ala Thr Gly Val Thr Leu Glu 275 280 285 Asp Gly Thr Ile Ile Ser Ala Arg Arg Glu Val Ile Leu Ser Ala Gly 290 295 300 Ser Phe Gln Thr Pro Gly Leu Leu Glu His Ser Gly Ile Gly Asp Ser 305 310 315 320 Ala Leu Leu Glu Lys Leu Gly Ile Gln Val Val Lys His Leu Pro Ser 325 330 335 Val Gly Glu Asn Leu Gln Asp His Ile Arg Ile Gln Leu Ala Phe Gln 340 345 350 Leu Lys Pro Glu Tyr Thr Ser Phe Asp Val Leu Arg Asn Ala Thr Arg 355 360 365 Ala Ala Ala Glu Leu Ala Leu Tyr Asn Ala Gly Glu Arg Ser Leu Tyr 370 375 380 Asp Tyr Thr Gly Ser Gly Tyr Ala Tyr Phe Pro Trp Lys Leu Ile Ser 385 390 395 400 Asn Ala Thr Ala Ser Lys Leu Gln Ala Leu Val Asp Asn Asp Thr Thr 405 410 415 Leu Thr Ser Ala Thr Asp Lys Leu Lys Lys Ser Tyr Ser Ser Pro Ser 420 425 430 Leu Asn Asn Lys Val Pro Gln Leu Glu Val Ile Phe Ser Asp Gly Tyr 435 440 445 Thr Gly Arg Lys Gly Tyr Pro Ala Ala Asn Ser Ser Gln Phe Gly Ile 450 455 460 Gly Thr Phe Ser Leu Ile Gly Ala Val Gln His Pro Leu Ser Lys Gly 465 470 475 480 Asn Ile His Ile Thr Ser Arg Asn Ile Ser Asp Lys Pro Leu Ile Asn 485 490 495 Pro Asn Tyr Leu Ser His Pro Tyr Asp Leu His Ala Ile Thr Ser Leu 500 505 510 Ala Lys Phe Met Arg Lys Ile Ala Ser Ser Ala Pro Met Ser Glu Val 515 520 525 Trp Thr Gln Glu Tyr Glu Pro Gly Ser Ala Val Gln Thr Asp Ala Asp 530 535 540 Trp Glu Ser Phe Ala Arg Glu Asn Thr Leu Ser Ile Tyr His Pro Val 545 550 555 560 Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Leu Pro Glu Lys Asp Gly Gly Val Val Asp Ala 565 570 575 Lys Leu Arg Val His Gly Thr Gln Gly Leu Arg Ile Val Asp Ala Ser 580 585 590 Val Ile Pro Leu Leu Pro Ser Thr His Ile Gln Thr Leu Val Tyr Gly 595 600 605 Ile Ala Glu Arg Ala Ala Glu Met Ile Ile Ala Glu Tyr Lys Tyr 610 615 620 <210> SEQ ID NO 8 <211> LENGTH: 1869 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 8 atgaagttcc taggattggc attggctgtg tacgggctgg ttgagcagac tgatgcagcc 60 acagtcaagc gtgcagagag tgcgtctgga aattccaact cctacgattt tgtaagtctc 120 ccattgagct gtcaaactga gcttgcaaac atcggtgtcc taacaaacag gctagatcat 180 tgtaggtggc ggcactgcag gtctcgccgt tgcatcacgc ataagcagcg gcctcccgga 240 catcaaggta ttggtcatag aagcagggcc cgatggccgt caagacccgg gaatcttcat 300 tccaggaaga aaaggttcga cgctcggtgg gaaatacgac tggaactcac cacgatacca 360 cagcaaaatg ccaacaatcg cgtctttacg cagaatcgtg gaaaagtgct tggtggaagt 420 tcggcgctca acctcatgac atgggaccgc acttcggagt atgagttaga tgcttgggag 480 aaacttggca acgttggatg gaactggaag aatttgtacg cggccatgct aaaggtcgag 540 acgtttttgc catctcctga atatggctcc gatggcgttg gcaagactgg tcctattcga 600 actcttatca acagaatcat tcctcgtcag caaggcacct ggatcccaac catgaacaat 660 ctgggtctgg ctcctaatcg agaatccctt aatggccatc ccattggtgt agcgacccaa 720 ccgagtaaca tccggccaaa ttatactcgt tcttacgcgc cagagtatct ccaactcgct 780 ggacagaacc ttgaattaaa gctggatacc cgagtcgcaa aagtcaactt taaaggcaaa 840 actgccaccg gagttacctt ggaggatggt actatcatca gcgcgcggcg agaagtgatt 900 ttgtcagctg ggtccttcca aacgcctggt cttctcgagc actcaggtat tggcgactcg 960 gccctcctag agaaacttgg aattcaagta gtcaagcacc taccttctgt tggtgaaaac 1020 cttcaggacc acatccgcat ccagctggcc ttccaactca aaccagaata cacttcattc 1080 gacgttctca gaaacgccac acgcgcggct gccgagttag ccctgtacaa cgctggagag 1140 cgctcgctct acgactacac tgggagcgga tacgcctact tcccttggaa actgatttct 1200 aatgcgacgg cctcaaaact gcaagcccta gtcgacaacg acacaaccct aacttcggcc 1260 accgacaagc tgaagaaaag ctactcctcc ccatctctca acaacaaagt cccccaactc 1320 gaagtcatct tctcagacgg ctacactggc cgcaagggct accccgcagc caactcctca 1380 caattcggca ttggcacttt ctccctcatc ggcgcagtac agcaccccct gagcaaaggc 1440 aacatccaca tcacctcgcg aaacatcagt gacaaaccgc tcatcaatcc aaactatctc 1500 tcacacccct acgacctcca tgccatcacc agtctcgcaa agttcatgcg caaaatcgct 1560 tcctctgccc caatgagcga agtatggact caggaatacg aacctggtag tgccgtacag 1620 acagatgctg attgggagag ttttgcaagg gaaaatacgc tgagtattta tcaccctgtc 1680 ggtactgctg cgctgcttcc ggagaaggat ggtggtgtag ttgatgcgaa gctgagggtt 1740 catggcacac agggtctaag gattgtagat gcgagtgtaa ttcctttatt gcccagtacg 1800 catattcaga cgctggtgta cgggattgct gaacgagcgg cagagatgat tatcgctgag 1860 tacaagtac 1869 <210> SEQ ID NO 9 <211> LENGTH: 398 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 9 Met Thr Arg Lys Arg Val Lys Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Val Gly Cys Met 1 5 10 15 Val Arg Glu Ile Glu Gly Lys Ala Lys Ser Gly Asp Ala Pro Ala Glu 20 25 30 Pro Arg His Met Ile Gln Ala Val Thr Met Ile Glu Gln Ser Val Gly 35 40 45 Asn Cys Pro Lys Tyr Ile Asn Gln Tyr Glu Ile His Pro Ala Leu Val 50 55 60 Ser Ser Lys Leu Val Ala Glu Gly Pro Ser Leu Ser Asp Glu Gly Arg 65 70 75 80 Ala Leu Ile Ser Ala Ser Asp Met Phe Phe Leu Ser Ser Ser Thr Ser 85 90 95 Asp Asp Met Asp Val Asn His Arg Gly Gly Pro Pro Gly Phe Val Arg 100 105 110 Ile Ile Ser Pro Ser Glu Ile Val Tyr Pro Glu Tyr Ser Gly Asn Arg 115 120 125 Leu Tyr Gln Ser Leu Arg Asp Leu Gln Leu Asn Pro Lys Ile Gly Leu 130 135 140 Ala Phe Pro Asn Tyr Ala Thr Gly Asp Met Leu Tyr Ile Thr Gly Arg 145 150 155 160 Thr Gln Ile Leu Ala Gly Lys Asp Ala Ala Asp Ile Leu Pro Gly Ser 165 170 175 Asn Leu Thr Val Lys Ile Thr Ile Gln Asp Ser Arg Phe Val Ser Ala 180 185 190 Gly Leu Pro Phe Arg Gly Asn Arg Lys Thr Gln Ser Pro Tyr Asn Pro 195 200 205 Arg Val Arg Pro Leu Ala Ser Glu Gly Asn Leu Lys Ser Ser Leu Ile 210 215 220 Pro Ser Pro Ser Arg Ser Gln Thr Ala His Leu Thr Lys Lys Thr Leu 225 230 235 240 Leu Thr Pro Ser Ile Ala Arg Phe Thr Phe Ser Val Pro Asp Asp Pro 245 250 255 Ser Phe Ser Tyr Thr Pro Ala Gln Trp Ile Ala Leu Asp Phe Lys Gln 260 265 270 Glu Leu Asp Thr Gly Tyr Glu His Met Arg Asp Asp Asp Pro Thr Ser 275 280 285 Leu Asn Asp Asp Phe Val Arg Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Thr Pro Pro 290 295 300 Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Gly Ala Ala Ala Gly Glu Phe 305 310 315 320 Asp Ile Thr Ile Arg Lys Val Gly Pro Val Thr Lys Phe Leu Phe Gln 325 330 335 Thr Asn Glu Arg Ala Gly Leu Gln Val Pro Ile Leu Gly Val Gly Gly 340 345 350 Gly Asp Phe Val Val Lys Gln Gly Asp Gln Lys Gly Val Val Val Pro 355 360 365 Val Val Ala Ala Gly Val Gly Ile Thr Pro Leu Leu Gly Gln Ile Glu 370 375 380 Gln Glu Glu Leu Val Pro Glu Arg Phe Arg Leu Phe Gly Gln 385 390 395 <210> SEQ ID NO 10 <211> LENGTH: 1194 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 10 atgacgcgga aaagagtcaa gacggctgac cgccttgtgg gctgcatggt gcgcgagatc 60 gaaggcaaag ctaagagcgg cgatgctcca gcagaacccc gacatatgat ccaagctgtc 120 acgatgatcg agcaaagtgt aggcaactgt cctaaataca tcaatcaata tgagattcat 180 cctgcacttg tttcgtcgaa actagtcgcc gaaggtccct cgttgtcaga cgaaggccga 240 gccctaatat cagcatccga catgttcttc ctcagcagta gcacctcgga cgacatggac 300 gtcaaccacc gcggcggccc tccaggcttc gtccgcatca tctccccttc agaaattgta 360 tacccagagt actcgggcaa ccgcctctac caatccctca gagacctgca actcaacccc 420 aaaatcggcc tcgcattccc caactacgcc accggagaca tgctctatat aaccggccgc 480 acccagatcc tcgccggcaa agacgccgca gacattctcc caggcagcaa tctcaccgtc 540 aaaatcacta tccaagactc acgtttcgtc agcgccggcc tgcccttccg cggcaacaga 600 aaaacacaaa gcccatacaa cccgcgcgtc cgccccttgg cttccgaggg gaacctgaaa 660 tccagcctca taccatcacc atcacgtagt caaaccgcac atttgaccaa aaaaaccctg 720 ctcacaccca gcatcgcccg cttcaccttc tccgtcccag acgatcccag cttcagctac 780 acgcccgccc aatggatagc actggacttc aaacaagaac tcgacacggg atacgagcat 840 atgcgcgacg acgatccgac cagtctgaat gacgatttcg tacgcacgtt tactatttct 900 tcgacgcctc cttcgtcgtc gtcgtcgtca tcttcttccg gtgctgctgc tggcgaattt 960 gacattacga tccggaaggt tgggcccgtg accaagtttc tgttccagac gaacgagagg 1020 gcggggctgc aagtcccgat tttgggggtt ggagggggag attttgttgt taagcaaggt 1080 gaccaaaaag gggtcgtggt gccggttgta gctgcgggag tggggattac gcctttattg 1140 ggacagatag agcaggagga acttgtgcct gagaggtttc gattgtttgg gcag 1194 <210> SEQ ID NO 11 <211> LENGTH: 547 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 11 Met Asp Ser Ser Asn Ser Thr Ala Ala His Ser Gly Gly Ser Leu Ala 1 5 10 15 Leu Ala Asp Leu Gln Asn Ser Leu Leu Val Arg Ala Phe Phe Thr Ile 20 25 30 Leu Ala Ile Cys Val Cys Thr Arg Val Ile Ser Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Arg 35 40 45 Ser Ile Lys Tyr Gly Gln Gly Arg Asn Val Ala Pro Pro Thr Ile Pro 50 55 60 Tyr Trp Ile Pro Gly Leu Arg His Ala Leu Ser Met Ala Leu Asp Asn 65 70 75 80 Lys Gln Tyr Met Ala Arg Cys Phe Asn Lys Tyr Gly Asp Gly Thr Pro 85 90 95 Phe Tyr Leu Asp Gly Ala Gly Glu Lys Met Leu Phe Val Arg Asp Pro 100 105 110 Glu His Val Lys Thr Val Leu Met Ser Val Gln His Phe Asp Pro Asn 115 120 125 Pro Phe Ile His Asp Lys Ile Leu Arg Ala Leu Met Asp Ser Pro Gln 130 135 140 Lys Ser Val Asp Tyr Tyr Asn Ser Pro Gly Val Asn Thr Asp Tyr Ile 145 150 155 160 Gln Ile Thr His Ile Arg Gln His Thr Thr Gly Ser Gly Leu Ser Leu 165 170 175 Leu Asp Lys Arg Met Phe Asp Leu Met Lys Gln Ser Val Gln Gln Ala 180 185 190 Leu Glu Val Ala Pro Gly Thr Glu Trp Lys His Val Pro Asp Leu Phe 195 200 205 Asp Phe Ile Thr Tyr His Val Thr Arg Ala Val Leu Val Ser Ile Leu 210 215 220 Gly Ser Ser Met Val Asp Glu Tyr Pro Gln Leu Ile Asp Asp Leu Trp 225 230 235 240 Lys Leu Ile Glu Ala Thr Pro Glu Phe Phe Met Gly Leu Pro Arg Phe 245 250 255 Ala Met Pro Lys Ser Tyr Ala Ala Arg Asp Arg Leu Leu Val Lys Leu 260 265 270 Arg Glu Tyr Ser Ile Lys Ser Glu Glu Leu Arg Lys Ser Asn Gln Ala 275 280 285 Asp Thr Lys Trp Asp Pro Val Ala Gly Ser Gly Leu Leu Gln Glu Arg 290 295 300 Glu Lys Met Tyr Ser Glu Leu Pro Gly His Asp Val Gln Ala Arg Ala 305 310 315 320 Ser Gln Thr Leu Gly Leu Leu Tyr Gly Ala Thr Ser Leu Val Val Pro 325 330 335 Ile Thr Phe Trp Tyr Leu Phe Glu Ile Leu Arg Asp Pro Lys Met His 340 345 350 Ala Tyr Val Ser Ser Glu Ile Glu Ala His Ala Thr Pro Glu Ser Gly 355 360 365 Met Tyr Asn Phe Met Gln Leu Ala Thr Leu Pro Leu Ile Gln Ser Leu 370 375 380 His Ala Glu Thr Thr Arg Leu Tyr Ser Ser Asn Leu Ala Val Arg Gln 385 390 395 400 Val Thr Ser Pro Val Phe Asn Leu Asp Asp Lys Tyr Thr Val Thr Lys 405 410 415 Gly Thr Asp Ile Phe Ile Ser Asn Thr Phe Asn Ala Gln Phe Ser Ala 420 425 430 Ala Trp Ala Gln Ala Arg Pro Asn Ala Leu Glu Arg Pro Leu Asp Val 435 440 445 Phe Trp Ala Glu Arg Phe Leu Val Asp Gly Lys Gly Arg Asp Lys Lys 450 455 460 Glu Ser Phe Ser Asp Ala Gly Leu Ser Gly Asn Trp Thr Ser Tyr Gly 465 470 475 480 Gly Gly Glu His Lys Cys Pro Gly Arg His Phe Ala Arg His Ile Gly 485 490 495 Leu Val Thr Leu Ala Ile Leu Met Gly Glu Phe Glu Ile Glu Met Val 500 505 510 Asp Lys Glu Ala Ala Ser Lys Thr Val Pro Pro Ile Lys Lys Ala Ala 515 520 525 Trp Gly Thr Met Lys Pro Thr Gly Lys Val Gly Val Arg Ile Arg Lys 530 535 540 Arg Lys Ala 545 <210> SEQ ID NO 12 <211> LENGTH: 1641 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 12 atggacagca gcaattcgac agcagcacac agcgggggct ctctcgccct cgctgacttg 60 cagaacagtc tccttgtgcg ggctttcttc accatcttgg ccatctgtgt ttgcaccaga 120 gttatctcgt cgtaccgcta cagatctatc aagtacggcc aggggcgcaa cgtagcgcct 180 cctaccattc cgtattggat tcccggccta cgacatgctc tgtccatggc actggataac 240 aagcaatata tggccagatg ctttaacaaa tatggcgacg ggactccctt ctatctcgat 300 ggtgctggcg aaaagatgct gtttgtgcga gacccagagc acgtcaagac cgtgctcatg 360 tcggtgcagc atttcgaccc caaccctttc atccatgaca agattctgag agcgctgatg 420 gatagcccgc aaaaatctgt cgattactat aatagtccag gagtcaacac ggattacatt 480 cagataacgc acatccgcca gcacaccact ggctccggcc tcagcttgct cgataaacga 540 atgttcgact tgatgaagca aagtgtacaa caagctttgg aggttgctcc cggaactgaa 600 tggaaacatg ttccggatct cttcgacttc atcacatacc atgtgacccg cgccgttctt 660 gtctcaatcc tcggctcttc catggtcgac gaatatccac agctcatcga cgatctctgg 720 aaacttatcg aggcaacccc ggagttcttt atgggcctcc cccgcttcgc catgcccaag 780 tcgtacgctg cacgtgaccg gctgctcgtc aaactccgcg aatattccat caaatccgaa 840 gaactgagga aaagcaatca agccgataca aaatgggatc ctgtagcagg ctctggtcta 900 ctccaagagc gagagaagat gtacagcgag ttgcctggtc acgatgtaca agctcgagca 960 tcccaaaccc ttggcctttt gtatggcgca accagtctcg ttgtgcccat cacattctgg 1020 tacttgttcg agatcctgcg ggaccccaag atgcacgcat acgttagttc ggaaattgaa 1080 gcccatgcca cgccagagtc gggaatgtac aacttcatgc agcttgccac actccctttg 1140 atacagtcac tgcatgctga gacaacgcgt ctttacagct ctaatcttgc ggtacgtcaa 1200 gtcacatcac cagtgttcaa ccttgacgac aaatacactg tcaccaaagg cactgatatc 1260 ttcatttcaa acacattcaa cgcccagttt tctgcagcat gggctcaagc gcgccccaat 1320 gctcttgaac gcccgctaga tgtattttgg gcagagcgct tccttgtgga cggcaaggga 1380 cgagacaaga aggaatcttt cagcgatgca ggtctgtctg gcaactggac gagctatggt 1440 ggtggcgaac acaagtgtcc cgggcgccac tttgcacgcc acattggcct cgtcacactg 1500 gctattctga tgggcgaatt tgaaatcgaa atggtagaca aagaggctgc aagcaagacg 1560 gtgccaccaa tcaagaaggc ggcttggggc accatgaagc caaccggcaa ggttggagta 1620 aggattagaa aacgcaaggc c 1641 <210> SEQ ID NO 13 <211> LENGTH: 339 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 13 Met Glu Met Cys Ala Cys Gly Thr Ala Glu Met Ser His Cys Ser Thr 1 5 10 15 Leu Gln His Leu Glu Pro Gly Glu Asp Ser Lys Asn Arg Ala Lys Gln 20 25 30 Gly Gly Gln Gly Arg Val Glu Val Asn Trp Pro Trp His Thr Ser Lys 35 40 45 Trp Arg Tyr Ala Gly Gly Arg Ala Gly Val His Gly Lys Val Arg Arg 50 55 60 Trp Arg Leu Phe Arg Leu Ala Pro Arg Val Gln Pro Gly Ala Thr Leu 65 70 75 80 His Pro Ala Ala Arg Ala Glu Leu Pro Ser Thr His Leu Pro Pro Leu 85 90 95 Ser Leu His Ile Leu Cys Glu His Arg Leu Pro Leu Ser Cys Tyr Ser 100 105 110 Leu His Arg Phe Cys Ala Pro Pro Leu His Thr Leu Ile Ala Val Cys 115 120 125 Leu Cys Phe Ser Arg Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ser His Gln Leu Leu Asn 130 135 140 His Ala Gly Gly Ser Val Ser Leu Ala Pro Ile Pro Pro Ser Pro Val 145 150 155 160 Ile Ala Thr Thr Tyr Ile Cys Ser His Ala His Val Tyr Leu Leu Arg 165 170 175 Leu Pro His Cys His Thr Ser Pro Arg Thr Pro Pro Pro Leu Gln Asp 180 185 190 Ser Pro Ser Asp Ala Phe Pro Ala Pro Ala Leu Asp Ala Met Asp Gln 195 200 205 Met Lys Lys Ala Leu Lys Gly Ile Phe Arg Gly Lys Lys Ser Lys Lys 210 215 220 Asp Glu Ser Lys Pro Glu Asp Ser Gln Pro Ala Ala Ala Pro Glu Thr 225 230 235 240 Ala Thr Pro Ser Asn Ser Ala Thr Lys Pro Thr Glu Thr Thr Pro Ala 245 250 255 Ala Pro Ala Pro Ala Thr Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Asn Ala Glu Thr Ser 260 265 270 Thr Val Pro Ala Glu Leu Pro Gln Pro Ala Ser Pro Ala Ala Ala Pro 275 280 285 Ala Ala Ala Pro Ala Ala Ala Pro Ala Ala Ala Pro Ala Gln Gly Glu 290 295 300 Ser Asn Lys Asp Glu Ala Ala Ala Leu Thr Glu Val Lys Lys Ala Thr 305 310 315 320 Gln Ser Arg Ser Thr Ser His Ser Ser Thr Thr Pro His Gly Glu His 325 330 335 Thr Leu Leu <210> SEQ ID NO 14 <211> LENGTH: 1017 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)...(1017) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A,T,C or G <400> SEQUENCE: 14 atggaaatgt gcgcctgcgg cacggcagag atgtcacatt gcagcacact gcagcatctt 60 gagccgggcg aggacagcaa aaacagggcg aagcagggcg gccaagggcg tgtagaggtg 120 aattggccat ggcataccag caaatggcgc tatgctgggg ggcgggctgg cgtgcatggc 180 aaggtgcgga ggtggagact gtttcgccta gccccaaggg tccagccagg agctactcta 240 cacccggcag ctagggcaga gctcccctcg acccatctgc ctccgttgtc tctccacatc 300 ctttgtgaac atcgtctacc gttgtcctgc tactcactgc atcgcttttg cgcccctcct 360 ctgcacacgc tcattgccgt gtgcctttgt ttctcgcgtc tccatctggc cgccagccac 420 cagctcttga accatgccgg gggttctgtc tcgctggcgc ctattccacc gtcacctgtg 480 attgcgacca cgtacatctg ctctcacgca cacgtgtatc tcctacgatt accccattgc 540 cacaccagtc cacgcacccc acctcccctc caagactcgc catctgacgc attccctgcc 600 ccagcgctcg acgccatgga ccagatgaag aaggccctca agggcatctt cagaggcaaa 660 aagtccaaga aggatgagtc caagcccgag gattcccagc ccgctgccgc tcctgagacg 720 gccacaccat ccaattccgc gaccaagcct accgagacga cgcctgcggc tcccgccccc 780 gctactgcgc ccgaggctgc aaatgcagag acgtcgactg ttcccgccga actgcctcag 840 cctgcctcgc ccgctgctgc tcctgccgct gctcctgccg ctgccccagc tgcggccccg 900 gcacaaggcg aaagcaacaa ggacgaagct gctgcactga ccgaggtcaa gaaagctacg 960 cagagtaggt caacatctca ttcatctact acnccacacg gagagcacac gcttctc 1017 <210> SEQ ID NO 15 <211> LENGTH: 2000 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 15 tgaacgctca gcgcaccttc tcgcagtcgg ctatccgaaa gagcgatgcg cacgccgagg 60 agacattcga ggagtttacc gccaggtacg aggaatccat ggaggggctc ggacgattgg 120 gagaaatagt gggaccacgg acaacggaca gccattgggt tcgattaacc gcatctagag 180 ctgcagcgct gacttttgtg tcttcattgc aggtatgaga aggagttcga gaaggtcaat 240 gatgtttttg agcttcaggt acgtttgttg tgacccagca tatggcccgc cccggtatca 300 cccgagctgc attgagccag ctggtgaact gctgtaaaca agagctatgc gctgacacat 360 cgtagcgaaa cctgaacaac tgcttcgcct acgatctcgt tccctcccct gcagtcatca 420 ctgctgctct ccgcgctgcc aggcgtgtca atgacttccc ctcggctgtc cgagttttcg 480 agggtacgtt tctcattgta cccccgcgca tgcatatctg gacggtttac gtagcggcgg 540 ggcgtggaac atgtcacagg atgatgcgac cattgggtgt gaccagccac ggagttttga 600 ttactaacat acgtcacagg tatcaagttc aaggcggaga acaagggcca atacgccgag 660 caccttcagg agcttgagcc aatacgcgag gagcttggta tgcccctcaa ggagaccctc 720 tatcctgagg agaagtagat tgcaggctgg tatgctcgct atccgattat ctcattcttg 780 acatcgaata cttcggagcg cccaatgtaa atgccatatt tcaattttct ttactagaca 840 gaagaccgga agcgaacgtg gcatgtatca ctgtgtgatg tatttgcagc atgaacggtg 900 gtcaacgtat gccaaggcgg gttgtggtgg tgcagagtgc agatatttag atgcagcagg 960 tagatgaaaa gagatttgca agttcaaatt cctttagttc attttcgatg tcttgatatg 1020 ttgggaggca tgtgtgatac tacgactatc acatgccttt gttggaacat gcaaacatct 1080 ccagtcaggg ttgcagtcat caacacattt gctggcggac acgataggct caatgccaca 1140 gaccggggat ttgtaaacgc cgatggcgct aagcccaact cgcacagatg caggggcaaa 1200 tcaatccaat cagcggcagg cagccacgga acttgccggt tcagagtcca gggcattccc 1260 acctctgcga ccggtcgtca gttgagtgct ctgcagagct caagacgcga cctcaaccag 1320 cacctgctgg acgcgccttc ccaccccacc accagtcctc gttctctcat aacgatttta 1380 atgaccaacc gggccatcta gcctatccct tctttttcac attttaatat tccccattgc 1440 agccacctgc cgctgttcct atacacaact gcgccgttac cagagcaaat gcgcctgcct 1500 tctgccacac cggccgcgca acccacagag taaacacgac actgtacggc gcagcctgag 1560 aggtctccaa acaaggggag cagcagctgt gggctgcaaa catcctcatc atggcgtctc 1620 acaactttga ggccatggcc tccaaactgg acgaccctaa ctctggtaac gagacatttt 1680 agacccgaca gccgcgatcg cgtgcgatcg cgcatatcaa gaaacttaaa cagacgctga 1740 ctgtgacaca gatctgaggg caaagggcac ccaggccatt gaaatccggg acaacatcga 1800 gagctactgc caaggaccgc aatacagcgc attcctgaac cacctagttc ccgtgtttct 1860 caaaatactc gatggcaatc cagtattcat atccacatcg cccgaacagg tgagcgcaaa 1920 acccgccgcc ataagacagc cttctgactc agaaacagcg gatacgaaac tgcatcctcg 1980 aaatcctgca ccgcctgccc 2000 <210> SEQ ID NO 16 <211> LENGTH: 1404 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 16 cttttggtct gttggggctg gggggggtac tttggtgggg tgggtctggc gggggtgggg 60 ggtggtctgg gtgttggtcg tggggtgcgc gtggggtgga gggggggtgt gtgcggtggg 120 tggtgtgtgg ggtggttgtg cgggggcggt cgtgcgttgt ttctggtgtg gtgggtggtc 180 cttcgcccga ttcctgcagt ccgtcgctct gttggcgggg cggggtcgct gcttcgggat 240 ttgtcgcggt cctcggtctg cggtgtgcgc cgtctgtgct cccggccgcg tcaaggcctt 300 gccgctttct ttcaagaggg gagagcacta gtggaaaatg agggtcttcc ttgaagcgaa 360 ggtcctcgag caagcgcgag caaagcggac agccctcgcc cgcggccaga gtcagagcct 420 ccattgtcgc atggtgcggg atgctgtttt tgttcttacc cctgactgtc ttaacgtggc 480 tgagatcggg ttctagtttt tggaggatgt ccccaaaggg gaagttttgg cagacagtac 540 agagggccat gtgttacaag caacaaggaa tctctctttc acaagagacg aacaggctag 600 aggcccaggg acgtcgatgt cagaacgtaa tgatcattgc ggggttcgga gtcacgtgaa 660 gtgcgacccc tccaaggctt gccattcagg atatcagtgc atgaagcgat ggtagtacaa 720 caagaaatgg tagtgcagga agagatggta ataatattta cttagttaga ccaaaagtaa 780 gctttcctca ctagcgcgta gaaccttgcc ctatctctaa gtaccggctc cggatccacc 840 ggggaaatta accagacatg tattcatgga aaagacgcag gatcctggat gattcggggc 900 aacaccgaat acgtttgtta tgctgccaag ctgaagtccc acatttgccc agaacaacga 960 taatcacctt tgcacaagcg agtaagaggc gttcagctga agaatagtac ttacagccag 1020 gcatccacgc aatttagatg cgcaactttt gcatgtccct ggactgcgga accatgcaac 1080 taggcgcaga cacccaagaa aaaagtcaat gggatctcgt acgcaaatcc tctgtcaacg 1140 tcgtgtcgtc tatgcatcgg gtaaatacga cgaagaggat ctaggcttag atgcccctgt 1200 gcaactaaat cgttttcgga tcaacaagct agaactcatt gaacatgcat gtcttcggcc 1260 tcattgacgc ggacatgtcg tccaacctat acatgtggag gataactgga cgcctaacgg 1320 aggctattat aatacccttg ctccgcccac ccgcaccctg agtgctctgc tctggactgc 1380 ctttattcca cgtctcacgg gaag 1404 <210> SEQ ID NO 17 <211> LENGTH: 897 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 17 ttatatagcg ttcagttttt ttcctggatg gcctgtttaa tcaagaaatt ttcgttgcac 60 tcgaatgttt acattttcac tacagaaaac agcgtacgtg atatatagtt caatgcattt 120 ctaacgtttt ctgggctttg atacgtcgag tcgtctttgt cagctcttgc attgcataac 180 tagggccgac tttgatacca ctagtacata cgtagtagta cgcagccccg ccatgcgtgg 240 caagcggcat gttcgtcagt gccgacaacg gcaagttcct aaggcgccat cagcacggcg 300 tgcggagaag acgtcgagtc atcggcatac ttgtttataa acgcagatag aacttagtaa 360 gcacatattg gttcagggcc gaagtgaggg gggtgagtgt tagtttaaga atgatatatc 420 ttcgtccgtc taaccatatg ctctaaaagt caaactacgt acaacaaagg caagaatcac 480 gattaacatt caaaccacca acgattaggg actgtcacag atacatcgac aaaatggatt 540 tctcaatagg aatggaatgg agtgaaggcg aagaaaagat gcatcatctc ctgcgtgtgc 600 caccacagga caaccccaca tcaacacatc tcacggctca agcatcggct atgttccagc 660 gcgcccctct gctcgcattt ggtactttgg acgcccaaga cagaccctgg gtcacactct 720 gggggcggat cccccggatt tacagagaca atcggcggag gcgctgtagg tacatttacg 780 cttgtagacg ggaagcatga tcccgtcgta caagcgctgg tagcaggcag caagggattc 840 gaaaagccgc gagaaagaga agacgcaaag cttgttgctt gactagccat cgatctc 897 <210> SEQ ID NO 18 <211> LENGTH: 1192 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)...(1192) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A,T,C or G <400> SEQUENCE: 18 gagaagcgtg tgctctccgt gtggngtagt agatgaatga gatgttgacc tactctgcgt 60 agctttcttg acctcggtca gtgcagcagc ttcgtccttg ttgctttcgc cttgtgccgg 120 ggccgcagct ggggcagcgg caggagcagc ggcaggagca gcagcgggcg aggcaggctg 180 aggcagttcg gcgggaacag tcgacgtctc tgcatttgca gcctcgggcg cagtagcggg 240 ggcgggagcc gcaggcgtcg tctcggtagg cttggtcgcg gaattggatg gtgtggccgt 300 ctcaggagcg gcagcgggct gggaatcctc gggcttggac tcatccttct tggacttttt 360 gcctctgaag atgcccttga gggccttctt catctggtcc atggcgtcga gcgctggggc 420 agggaatgcg tcagatggcg agtcttggag gggaggtggg gtgcgtggac tggtgtggca 480 atggggtaat cgtaggagat acacgtgtgc gtgagagcag atgtacgtgg tcgcaatcac 540 aggtgacggt ggaataggcg ccagcgagac actgaaggtg aatggggatt gtacttacga 600 acccccggca tggttcaaga gctggtggct ggcggccaga tggagacgcg agaaacaaag 660 gcacacggca atgagcgtgt gcagaggagg ggcgcaaaag cgatgcagtg agtagcagga 720 caacggtaga cgatgttcac aaaggatgtg gagagacaac ggaggcagat gggtcgaggg 780 gagctctgcc ctagctgccg ggtgtagagt agctcctggc tggacccttg gggctaggcg 840 aaacagtctc cacctccgca ccttgccatg cacgccagcc cgccccccag catagcgcca 900 tttgctggta tgccatggcc aactggggtt tcacactacc tgcgacatgc ttatgcatcc 960 atacttcacc tctacacgcc cttggccgcc ctgcttcgcc ctgtttttgc tgtcctcgcc 1020 cggctcaaga tgctgcagtg tgctgcaatg tgacatctct gccgtgccgc aggcgcacat 1080 ttccatgcaa gccggatcgg gttagcgctt atccgcttgg gggctgttta tccaacccca 1140 acgacagctc gcatgtttgc ccgctcagcc tctgtttgtg acactacaca cc 1192 <210> SEQ ID NO 19 <211> LENGTH: 1000 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Cochliobolus <400> SEQUENCE: 19 cttgggcatg gcgaagcggg ggaggcccat aaagaactcc ggggttgcct cgataagttt 60 ccagagatcg tcgatgagct gtggatattc gtcgaccatg gaagagccga ggattgagac 120 aagaacggcg cgggtcacat ggtatgtgat gaagtcgaag agatccggaa catgtttcca 180 ttcagttccg ggagcaacct ccaaagcttg ttgtacactt tgcttcatca agtcgaacat 240 tcgtttatcg agcaagctga ggccggagcc agtggtgtgc tggcggatgt gcgttatctg 300 aatgtaatcc gtgttgactc ctggactatt atagtaatcg acagattttt gcgggctatc 360 catcagcgct ctcagaatct tgtcatggat gaaagggttg gggtcgaaat gctgcaccga 420 catgagcacg gtcttgacgt gctctgggtc tcgcacaaac agcatctttt cgccagcacc 480 atcgagatag aagggagtcc cgtcgccata tttgttactg gaggggtgtg agtatcaatt 540 gaggatattg ggtatgcaat cagtgtctga tcttgtcacg tgctttgtcg ggcgcttgac 600 gagtgcacaa taattgttta ggaaaaccta caagcatctg gccatatatt gcttgttatc 660 cagtgccatg gacagagcat gtcgtaggcc gggaatccaa tacggaatgg taggaggcgc 720 tacgttgcgc ccctggccgt acttgataga tctgtagcgg tacgacgaga taactctggt 780 gcaaacacag atggccaaga tggtgaagaa agcccgcaca aggagactgt tctgcaagtc 840 agcgagggcg agagagcccc cgctgtgtgc tgctgtcgaa ttgctgctgt ccatggtgtg 900 tagtgtcaca aacagaggct gagcgggcaa acatgcgagc tgtcgttggg gttggataaa 960 cagcccccaa gcggataagc gctaacccga tccggcttgc 1000 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for preparing a library of modified DNA fragments comprising: contacting a library of DNA fragments in a vector with an agent so as to cause at least one double strand break in at least one fragment to yield a library of DNA fragments having at least one double strand break; and inserting a detectable polynucleotide or gene into the break so as to yield a library of modified DNA fragments.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said DNA is selected from the group consisting of plant DNA, fungal DNA, avian DNA, and mammalian DNA.
 3. The method claim 1, wherein said vector is selected from the group consisting of a plasmid, a phage, a bacterial artificial chromosome, a yeast artificial chromosome and a cosmid.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said detectable nucleotide sequence or gene comprises a selectable marker or a screenable marker.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said library of DNA fragments is contacted with at least one endonuclease.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least one endonuclease does not have a recognition site in said vector, but has at least one recognition site in at least one DNA fragment.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said library is a cDNA library or a genomic library.
 8. A library prepared by the method of claim
 1. 9. A method for identifying the function of a gene comprising: contacting cells with the library of claim 8 so as to yield a population of cells containing at least one recombinant cell, in which homologous recombination has occurred between the genome of the cell and the modified DNA in at least one member of the library; and identifying the recombinant cell by a change in phenotype.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said recombinant cell is selected from the group consisting of plant cells, bacterial cells, fungal cells, avian cells, and mammalian cells.
 11. An organism comprising at least one cell of claim
 10. 12. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: a) any one of SEQ ID NO.1, SEQ ID NO.3, SEQ ID NO.6, SEQ ID NO.8, SEQ ID NO.10, SEQ ID NO.12, SEQ ID NO.14, b) the complement of any of the sequences of a, c) a sequence substantially similar to any of the sequences of a, and d) the complement of any of the sequences of c.
 13. An isolated polypeptide comprising any one of SEQ ID 5, SEQ ID NO.7, SEQ ID NO.9, SEQ ID NO.11 and SEQ ID NO.13.
 14. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding any one of the polypeptides of claim
 13. 15. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence substantially similar to any one of SEQ ID 5, SEQ ID NO.7, SEQ ID NO.9, SEQ ID NO.11 and SEQ ID NO.13.
 16. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding any one of the polypeptides of claim
 15. 17. An expression cassette comprising as operably linked components, a promoter and an isolated polynucleotide of claim
 12. 18. A recombinant vector comprising the expression cassette of claim
 17. 19. A host cell comprising the recombinant vector of claim
 18. 20. The host cell of claim 19, wherein said host cell is selected from the group consisting of bacterial cells, yeast cells, fungal cells, plant cells, and animal cells.
 21. An organism comprising a host cell of claim
 20. 22. A method for identifying an agent having anti-fungal activity comprising, contacting a fungus with an agent; determining if the agent binds to at least one of the polypeptides of claim 13; and determining the effect of said binding on fungal viability.
 23. An agent identified by the method of claim
 22. 24. A method for identifying an agent having anti-fungal activity comprising, contacting a fungus with an agent; determining if the agent binds to at least one of the polypeptides of claim 15; and determining the effect of said binding on fungal viability.
 25. An agent identified by the method of claim
 24. 26. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a regulatory region having a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO.15, SEQ ID NO.16, SEQ ID NO.17, SEQ ID NO.18 and SEQ ID NO.19.
 27. A fragment of the isolated polynucleotide of claim 26, wherein said fragment comprises a minimal promoter.
 28. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a regulatory region having a sequence substantially similar to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO.15, SEQ ID NO.16, SEQ ID NO.17, SEQ ID NO.18 and SEQ ID NO.19.
 29. A fragment of the isolated polynucleotide of claim 28, wherein said fragment comprises a minimal promoter 